Factors Influencing the Sustainable Growth of Community Based Organizations in Nyalenda Slums in Kisumu County, Kenya

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) refer to private non-profit organizations, existing as a group in a particular community with the feelings of sharing, belonging and joint use of resources in order to achieve a particular objective. CBOs playa very critical role in filling the gaps faced by the Government in its endeavor to provide critical services to the community. There is still no clear information on the role of CBOs and the nature of their activities and how those activities are contributing to the livelihoods of the community members in Nyalenda. CBOs are often faced with numerous challenges arising from their internal operational and organizational structure as well as other external factors that impede their operations and sustainability. There exists numerous opportunities for sustainable growth of CBOs. However, the opportunities have remained untapped by CBOs either due to lack of information or deficiency in internal capacity to exploit such opportunities. Nyalenda is today one of the largest informal urban settlement in Kisumu with about 60,699 inhabitants. Nyalenda has 342 CBOs registered by Department of Social Services many of which are registered as women groups. Despite the registration of a huge number of CBOs in Nyalenda, very few CBOs appear to be active in implementing activities for which they were formed. Several others are facing numerous organizational management challenges to the extent that some have closed down. The study set out to determine the factors influencing the sustainable growth of community based organizations in Nyalenda. The specific objectives of this study were to identify the types of activities CBOs in Nyalenda engage in, the challenges they experience in their operations, and the existing opportunities for sustainable growth of CBOs in Nyalenda. The study design was cross sectional and was guided by Community Action Theory. A total of 14 key informants and 15 CBOs officials were interviewed. Questionnaires were administered to 77 CBO Members. The target population for the study comprised the officials of the community based organizations specifically: chairpersons, secretaries, treasurers, and members; District Social Development officer; NGOs working in Nyalenda; Local administration; Religious leaders; Director of Social Services at Municipal council of Kisumu and the District Youth Officer. The unit of analysis was the officials and members of CBOs in Nyalenda. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions guides, interview schedules and photography. Secondary data were collected from text books, scientific journals, periodicals, reports, published and unpublished theses and Internet. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means and percentages. . Qualitative data were organized and then categorized into themes and patterns. The findings from the study show that most CBOs in the study area were formed as a result of welfare associations which were meant to bring together people along kinship ties like lineage, clan or ethnic group and that most CBOs were involved in entrepreneurship or saving. The study also revealed that CBOs in Nyalenda face a myriad of challenges in their operations. The study has identified numerous opportunities for growth of CBOs including the numerous devolved funds from Government, training opportunities by other NGOs and the new constitution of Kenya which calls for active engagement of CBOs in local government decision making. The study recommends need to enhance the capacity of CBOs through training in critical areas such as organizational management, group dynamics and resource mobilization. Funds allocated to CBOs from government and development partners should be tracked to ensure transparency and accountability. Relevant policies should be enacted and enforced to streamline operations of CBOs. The study further recommends that a research should be conducted to look at the role of government in sustainable growth of CBOs in slums.