Effect of Relationship Building Strategy on the Sustainability of Women-led Development Projects in Uasin Gishu County

Johnathan Kimeli Bii – Department of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kisii University
Peter Gutwa Oino – Department of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kisii University
Caleb Akuku – School of Business and Economics, Kisii University

Email: jbkimeli@gmail.com

Abstract: With the rapid increasing population, Kenya is faced with a critical challenge of food production, unemployment and poverty. In recent years, the country has implemented agricultural development programmes especially those led by women through government and donor funding. However, for different reasons these women-led development projects have produced mixed outcomes. This study, therefore, sought to assess the effect of relationship building strategy on the sustainability of women-led development projects in Uasin Gishu County. The study was anchored on Social Network theory. The study applied descriptive research design. The target population was 386 women led enterprises registered with Ministry of trade in Uasin Gishu County and are implementing agricultural projects from Kesses and Turbo sub-counties. Using Krejcie & Morgan (1970) table of sample determination, the research recruited 412 respondents spread across the two sub-counties. Proportionate sampling helped the researcher to research 226 respondents in Kesses sub-county and 186 respondents in Turbo Sub- County respectively. Simple random sampling technique was used to interview the 412 respondents in the two sub-counties. Data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and presented in form of mode, mean, standard deviation and correlation since there are more than two variables. Whereas inferential statistics was done by testing linearity and normality regression. Based on the findings of this study, the study concluded that the network building and recruitment of donors influenced sustainability of women-led development projects. Network building and recruitment of donors enhanced sustainability of women led project. The study recommended that relationship building strategy with network building and recruitment of donors should be used to enhance sustainability of women led project.