Socio-Economic Factors Contributing To The Rise Of Poverty Levels In Towns Within Marginalised Areas: A Case Study Of Narok Town

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate socio-economic factors contributing to the rise of poverty levels in towns within marginalised areas using Narok town as the case study. The specific objectives of the study were; to find out whether urbanization challenges contribute to rise of poverty level in Narok town, to investigate whether demographics challenges contribute to rise of poverty level in Narok town and to determine whether economic factors contribute to rise of poverty levels in Narok town. The study will help the Narok County government to know why the poverty level is sky rocketing and incorporate ways on how to make life liveable especially to the low income learners. The study will also be of significance to the National government by making it realize how its policies may help to alleviate the financial burden that the ‘common mwananchi’ is suffering from by intervening through tax reduction on basic commodities to make them affordable. The study used utilized descriptive design, where the target population was 30 respondents. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect data anddata was analyzed using regression analysis and presented in tables.The study findings revealed thaturbanization challenges had contributed immensely to rise of poverty level in Narok town through shortages related to low supply of food that led to overpricing of the available stuffs also it was noted that geographic spillage had led to emergency of health issues such as communicable diseases meaning more health cost has to be factored in already strained budget. The study findings also revealed that demographic challenges contributed significantly to rise of poverty in Narok town, where lack of employment opportunities had affected family structure where the ratio of dependants is high hence drawing from family kitty instead of contributing towards it leading to poverty. The study findings further revealed that economic challenges contributed to rise of poverty in Narok town where it was argued that due to high inflation the prices of commodities  was  high as the same commodities costs the consumer much than previous leading to reduction of savings. In the same regard, due to shortages of food as a basic item the demand for storage facilities e.g fridge is inevitable, and the affordability of such is a nightmare to many meagre earners. The study recommends that Narok County government should find mechanism to addresses the challenges associated with urbanization in Narok town. The challenges which relates to shortages of basic commodities such as transport system, housing facilities, food affordability and health hazard are at detrimental level thus a strategic plan to deal with menace is inevitable.