Strategies Enhancing Community Development: A Case of Anglican Development Services in Kenya

Abstract

The dynamics of Anglican Development Services (ADS) of the Anglican Church necessitated an investigation of the aspects that contribute to the enhancement of Community Development (CD) in Kenya. Despite mitigation strategies by ADS in enhancing CD in Kenya, to improve the people's livelihoods, community has consistently experienced forms of under-development. This study, sought to investigate the strategies employed by ADS in enhancing CD in Kenya. The study targeted four ADS regions in Kenya namely; Pwani, Eastern, Mount Kenya East and NAIKA (Nairobi, Kajiado and All Saints). A descriptive survey design was used with a sample of 330 respondents drawn from a target population of 1,827. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages while thematic analysis was done on qualitative data. The findings illustrated that the ADS has an array of strategies for enhancing CD in Kenya. However, the strategies must be implementable on the ground to improve the sustainability of CD within the targeted areas. Strategies employed by the four ADS regions in enhancing CD in Kenya include mobilizing for food production and security in community, partnership and networking for community capacity building, promotion of health care, training and mobilizing farmers to form groups to promote Agri-business. It is recommended that for the effectiveness of ADS strategies, the target recipients should be expanded through a conscientization process, biblical and theological interventions, transformation participatory approach, and goal-oriented empowerment with the most vulnerable members of the community receiving priority. For ADS to be effective and efficient, it has to focus on transforming individuals, communities and systems without fully being dependent on donor funded activities.