Analysis of Human Development of Kenya (Published)
Kenya, like many other countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, still has problems with poverty, inequality, health, education, and environmental concerns, all of which limit its capacity for full human progress. The aim of this study was to analyse the human development of Kenya using the HDI index. HDI is a composite measurement of human well-being that includes data on life expectancy, income, and education. This study specifically analyzed the trends in HDI of Kenya since 2012 to 2022 and compared it with other countries in East African Community. A multidimensional concept was investigated using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research of human development was concentrated on Kenya and the countries of the East Africa Community, basing on secondary data from existing Governmental and Non-Governmental publications. The geometric mean of the normalised indices for life expectancy, GNI, and education makes up the HDI. The life expectancy at birth is used to evaluate the health dimension, while the mean number of years spent in school for persons 25 years and older and the anticipated number of years spent in school for young children are used to evaluate the education dimension. The measure of the standard of life is the gross national income per person. Kenya is a country with a medium level of human development, ranked 152nd out of 189 nations in 2022 with HDI of 0.598. A number of factors, including inequalities, influence the HID in Kenya. The results of this analysis highlight Kenya’s accomplishments in terms of human development over the previous ten years. Kenya had the highest HDI score in East African Community, followed by Tanzania and Uganda. For the recommendation the policymakers and stakeholders can apply these findings to design targeted strategies and policies that address regional differences, promote gender equality, and further boost human development in Kenya and East African Community.
Keywords: Analysis, Human development, Kenya
Influence of Access to Land and Finances on Kenyan Youth Participation in Agriculture: A Review (Published)
The Kenya Government prioritized the development of the agricultural sector to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of sustainable food production. Kenya’s strategic plan, Vision 2030 positions agriculture as a key driver for delivering a 10% annual economic growth and is expected to have an average growth rate of 7% by 2015. Agriculture contributes over 80% of all employment opportunities in the country, but Kenyan youths are not taking advantage of these opportunities since 64% of them are unemployed. To advance the 7% average growth rate, it is pertinent that the Kenyan youth be fully involved in agricultural development. However, agriculture is perceived unattractive to the youth and its potential has not been fully realized. The purpose of this review is to find out the influence of land and finances on youth participation in agriculture and to identify the interventions that can make agriculture attractive to the youth in Kenya. This information will be useful to the government, the farming community, agriculturalists, policy makers and non-governmental organisations in laying strategies that will make agriculture attractive to the youth. This will subsequently enhance youth participation in agriculture resulting in increased food production, employment creation and income generation for the youth. Engaging the youth in agricultural activities will contribute in reducing crime and other social problems attributed to the youth.
Keywords: Agriculture, Economy, Food Security, Kenya, Youth
THE ROLE OF FENCING ON MARGINAL PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOUR, LAND AND CAPITAL IN ASAL REGIONS OF KENYA (Published)
Good land management strategies are known to play an important role in improving agricultural production. There lacks empirical studies that have evaluated the contribution of fence as a productive investment in Kenya. Fencing was treated as a productive input in the production function alongside capital, labour and land. Cross-sectional primary data is used to achieve the objectives of the study. The Cobb-Douglas (CD) specification was used in measuring the contribution of fence to production and in measuring its role in the marginal productivity of labour, land and capital in semi arid Kenya. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression results indicated that fencing improves agricultural production and that it improves the marginal productivity of land. The policy implication is that since fence has led to a series of positive benefits, there is need for the government to recognize the positive impact of fence and empower those communities who would wish to fence their land.
Keywords: ASAL regions, Kenya, Labour, fencing, land and capital, marginal productivity
INFLUENCE OF ACCESS TO LAND AND FINANCES ON KENYAN YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE: A REVIEW (Published)
The Kenya Government prioritized the development of the agricultural sector to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of sustainable food production. Kenya’s strategic plan, Vision 2030 positions agriculture as a key driver for delivering a 10% annual economic growth and is expected to have an average growth rate of 7% by 2015. Agriculture contributes over 80% of all employment opportunities in the country, but Kenyan youths are not taking advantage of these opportunities since 64% of them are unemployed. To advance the 7% average growth rate, it is pertinent that the Kenyan youth be fully involved in agricultural development. However, agriculture is perceived unattractive to the youth and its potential has not been fully realized. The purpose of this review is to find out the influence of land and finances on youth participation in agriculture and to identify the interventions that can make agriculture attractive to the youth in Kenya. This information will be useful to the government, the farming community, agriculturalists, policy makers and non-governmental organisations in laying strategies that will make agriculture attractive to the youth. This will subsequently enhance youth participation in agriculture resulting in increased food production, employment creation and income generation for the youth. Engaging the youth in agricultural activities will contribute in reducing crime and other social problems attributed to the youth.
Keywords: Agriculture, Economy, Food Security, Kenya, Youth