Clean Energy Community Based Projects and Sustainable Livelihoods in Teso South Sub-County, Busia County, Kenya

Patrick Obai Emukule, Dr. Michael Mugah Sitawa & Dr. Wilkins Ndege Muhingi
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Corresponding author: emukulepa@gmail.com

Abstract: Project sustainability is a vital factor to consider in any project in any part of the world as many development projects have had to close down with exit of donors. This denies stakeholders the realisation of the projects outcomes. Clean energy community based projects and sustainable livelihoods are to nurture new thinking to offer more support to the community at the grass-root level for sustainable livelihoods. The main objective of this study was to investigate how clean energy community based projects can sustain livelihoods in Teso South Sub-County, Busia County, Kenya. Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) guides development interventions, a framework for analysis and an overall development objective. A descriptive study design was adopted and employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study sample had 98 respondents. A questionnaire and interviews were instruments of collecting data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23), while qualitative data used content and thematic analysis. The study findings confirmed the SLA approach: interventions should be evidencebased rather than the top-down method without the community’s knowledge, help understand what is and what can be done and development as improvement of livelihood sustainability i.e. Making capitals less vulnerable, enhancing contributions made by some capitals or improving the context of an institution. The study recommended for improved policy framework at the level of the Sub-County, County and National governments to help in the promotion and coordination of programmes for increased adoption of clean energy in the Sub-County.