Content uploaded by Antony Somba Mang’Oka
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Antony Somba Mang’Oka on Nov 15, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 30
Mara International Journal of Social Sciences Research Publications
Vol. 1, No. 1, September 2017, Pages 30 – 37
The Role Played by Settlement Executive Committee in the Design and
Implementation of the KENSUP Communication Strategy in Kibera, Kenya
Lilian Kimeto and Antony Somba
1Communication Department, Daystar University, Kenya
2Department of Education, Kabarak University, Kenya
Email: liliankimeto@gmail.com, asomba@kabarak.ac.ke
* Corresponding author
Received: June 23, 2017
Published: August 30, 2017
Abstract
The Government of Kenya has identified SEC as the most important arena for strengthening participatory
communication processes in the community and links them to the government structure. Owing to this herculean role,
the SEC, thus, is supposed to select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and
trustworthy opinions to the decision makers. This paper isolates the roles that SEC plays in the design and
implementation of the KENSUP communication strategy in Kibera, Kenya. The paper used assorted methodologies
which included interviews, questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussions. The findings of the paper established that
the settlement executive committee plays six very important roles in the design and implementation of the KENSUP
communication strategy.
Keywords: SEC, KENSUP, Kibera, GOK, herculean role
© 2016 by the author(s); Mara Research Journals (Nairobi, Kenya; Vancouver Canada) OPEN ACCESS
1. INTRODUCTION
This paper looks into the roles that are played by the SEC in the design and implementation of the of Kenya
Slum Upgrading Program (KENSUP) communication strategy. According to the government GOK (2005),
the SEC was the focal point of participatory communication within the community in Kibera. Slum
residents were represented in the decision making processes of the program by the Settlement Executive
Committee (SEC). The role of the SEC was to facilitate community networks in the forum for community
rights, and ensure full community participation in decision-making regarding the Kibera upgrading (GOK,
2006, p. 23). The SEC was the focal point for government to involve the community in Kibera in KENSUP
activities. The committee’s role was to strengthen participatory communication processes within the
community and link them to the government structure (GOK, 2005 p. 6).
Since the communication process in Kibera was expected to be participatory (GOK, 2005 p.6), the
KENSUP communication strategy outlined how the SEC would represent the interests of the various
categories of the slum residents. This was participatory communication, enabling people to actively
contribute in the decision-making process within development programs (Karl & Susan, 2001; Melkote &
Steeves, 2001; Okigbo, 1985).
According to the KENSUP communication strategy (GOK, 2005a, p.12):
Enhancing & disseminating
MIJ Social Sciences Research
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus
2.
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played.
Fig.
From the findings
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 31
The SEC was identified as the most important arena for strengthening participatory communication
processes in the community and link them to the government structure. The SEC is supposed to
select correct and relevant information from the community and forward balanced and trustworthy
opinions to the decision makers. To support the SEC in their communication with the members of
the community are other channels which are either mass media or interpersonal.
This shows that SEC plays salient roles in Kibera which have not been espoused. The findings of this
paper, thus, will be appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring participatory communication in Kibera.
2. THE ROLES OF SEC IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KENSUP
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
2.1 Methods and Findings
In Question D1 the researcher provided a list of five communication-related roles the SEC was supposed to
carry out as listed in the KENSUP communication strategy. The questionnaire respondents were asked to
tick the roles they thought the SEC had played. The findings are indicated in the bar chart of Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Roles of the Settlement Executive Committee as Outlined in the Communication Strategy
(Respondents were allowed to tick on all that apply)
From the findings from Fig. 1, an average of 20% of the respondents seemed to understand the roles of
SEC stipulated in the communication strategy on implementing participatory communication.
According to Linus Siyenji, the UN Habitat Officer:
The communication strategy prescribes an informal (communication) role to SEC, because it
appears that according to the policy makers, the communication challenge facing KENSUP is lack
of information and so the solution is information transfer. But then it expects the SEC to facilitate
participatory communication, through participating in decision making processes with government
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 32
while representing the position of the community. But even in both information transfer and
participatory communication, the community feels the SEC has not been effective (UN Habitat
officer, in-depth interview, April 24 2015).
When the respondents were asked whether they were satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its roles.
The findings are represented in the following pie chart of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2:
Response on whether or not the respondents are satisfied with the way SEC is carrying the roles
listed in the communication strategy
The findings indicate that only 24% were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out its roles as spelt
out in the communication strategy (GOK, 2005; 2006). These ties in with an average of 20% of
respondents who seemed to understand what roles of the SEC were.
Another key finding is that 68% of respondents were not satisfied with the way SEC was carrying out its
role ties in with the 34% (in Table 2), who would like to have the SEC disbanded as they were not
effectively facilitating participatory communication, between the government and the community, as well
as within the community itself. It also pointed to a possible ineffectiveness of SEC as representatives of the
community.
According to GOK(2006 p. 10), the communication process in KENSUP should be such that SEC receives
information from Settlement Program Implementation Unit SPIU, conveys it to the community and
receives feedback from the community back to SPIU and upwards to Inter Agency Support Group IASG.
However, this coordinated flow of information and feedback mechanisms is currently lacking. The
information is also not streamlined with various actors communicating whatever they deem to be of their
interest. In response to question D3, the respondents to the questionnaire gave the reasons of their
dissatisfaction with SEC as indicated in the Table 1:
Table 1:
List of Reasons as to Why Respondents Were Not Satisfied With the Way SEC Was Carrying Out
its Role as Stipulated in the Communication Strategy
Response
Percentage (%)
SEC lost credibility/choose new SEC 16 16
They do not agree with other opinion leaders 15 15
They distort the messages
11
11
They are biased 6 6
Personal interests 5 5
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 33
They do not give feedback 4 4
They are government functionaries 4 4
They do not call for meetings 1 1
They do not listen to concerns
1
1
They hold back information 1 1
Have overstayed in office 1 1
SEC not paid well 1 1
No response 34 34
Total 100 100
A total of 66% of the respondents provide reasons as to why they were not satisfied with the way the SEC
was carrying out its role to facilitate participatory communication. Comparing this with the 68% who said
they were not happy with SEC’s role with regards to communication in the program, the inference here is a
possibly dysfunctional SEC, yet it was supposed to be the focal point of participatory communication
within the program, and that this is the point where the ineffectiveness of the communication strategy was.
The inference from the 16% of the respondents who said SEC had lost credibility or wanted a fresh SEC
elected, pointed to an organ that was no longer looked up to by the community whose interests they ought
to be representing them. This finding can be linked to the reasons given by respondents as to why they
thought their voice was not being heard in the program. The respondents blamed the SEC for being inactive
in representing their interests. The inference is the community feels that the SEC, who are their link with
government and represent their interest are not doing so effectively. According to Charles Sikuku, the
Director KENSUP “We share information with SEC. However, as it is currently constituted is not in sync
with the community it represents. It has lost its representation of the community in the program” (Director,
Slum Upgrading, In-depth interview, May 21, 2015).
However, the SEC is not entirely to be blamed for that ineffectiveness by the Settlement Program
Implementation Unit (SPIU) officer as she says:
The ineffectiveness of the SEC in facilitating participatory communication in KENSUP can be
traced way back to moment when the communication strategy was being designed. At the point
when the communication document was being drafted and finalised, the SEC was not invited there
to ensure community views were captured in it (the document). As it is, two documents, the
KENSUP implementation strategy plus the communication strategy, do not indicate the framework
for SEC’s role or link between the communication channels and that role. Although, the SEC
should facilitate participatory communication, KENSUP officers have not actively involved them
in receiving information as well as feedback from various sources within the community,
processing information plus the production, management and dissemination of KENSUP messages.
The SEC do not, on many occasions, have access to up-to-date information on the program as
KENSUP officers do not share it with them (SPIU Officer, In-depth interview, May 23, 2015)
The community also seemed to understand what can be done to have a SEC that carries out its role as the
focal point of participatory communication in the program as seen from the following suggestions as shown
in Table 2:
Table 2:
List of Suggestions Respondents Provided on how SEC Could Use Communication to Facilitate
Participation of the Community in the Program
Responses Percentage (%)
Choose SEC from existing social groups 21 21
Use opinion leaders to pass messages 19 19
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 34
SEC should listen to everybody in the community 13 13
SEC can send project updates using sms 9 9
SEC should give community position in government meetings 5 5
The SEC should use youth to create video, drama
Use empowered members to train non cooperating ones
5
5
5
5
SEC should give concerns to Ministry Headquarters 4 4
Allow more time for decision making by community members 3 3
They should bring top government officials to the community 2 2
SEC should have office with equipment
1
1
SEC to provide suggestion boxes for secret complaint letters 1 1
Train community on slum upgrading 1 1
No response 16 16
Total 100 100
The majority of the respondents, at 21% appeared ready to have a new SEC constituted from the social
groups/networks they belong to. This finding ties with the 16% (in table 2.4) who said SEC had lost
credibility. Another 19% were also ready for an alternative to the SEC suggesting that respected opinion
leaders would do a better job in passing messages to them. Interestingly, 13% of the respondents asked the
SEC to listen to everyone within the community. This pointed to possible discrimination of other residents
in the community with regards to the views they gave concerning KENSUP.
The rest of the responses seemed to suggest for SEC to increase dialogue between the community itself, as
well as with government (5+3+2=10%). Other responses pointed to more community engagement using
existing structures such as the youth groups, as indicate by 5%, and use the empowered residents to
persuade their non-cooperating ones as represented by another 5%.
Other than the suggestions given above, the SEC themselves during their FGD made the following
suggestions on how to address the challenges faced in integrating participatory communication:
The government agencies should talk among themselves as they do not agree with each other. This
discourages effective communication between us in the community and the government. The
different government agencies cannot engage the community directly with different projects which
are MDG related. It is impossible for decisions to be arrived at in large groups when you do not use
one communication channel. The government should come to us as one through KENSUP which is
the community’s representative. Also another thing that needs to be done is that the community’s
social networks should be more formalized as in their current form they are also “rumour mills”
and community members should be trained in appropriate communication skills. We want to
facilitate dialogue and community engagement but the frustration comes from the community itself
and also the government (SEC FGD, May 7 2015).
In Question E1, the questionnaire respondents were asked to list challenges faced in the program that relate
to participatory communication. The term ‘relate’ was translated to Kiswahili to ‘
Kuhusiana na
’ so that it
could be understood by the respondents. This was an open-ended question to enable the respondents
provide information outside the limits of closed ended questions. The findings were edited and grouped as
reflected in Table 3:
Table 3:
List of Challenges faced in Integrating Participatory Communication into Slum Upgrading
Responses Percentage
Only government officers deciding on program interventions/
communication
34 34%
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 35
Complexities within the community e.g. politics, corruption, illiteracy,
crime, casual jobs, tribal differences
22 22%
Government/community do not understand participatory communication 19 19%
Not responsive
25
25%
Total 100 100%
3. DISCUSSIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This paper’s thrust was to find out the role played by the SEC in the design and implementation of the
KENSUP communication strategy. In question D1 the respondents were asked to tick, which role(s) they
felt the SEC was carrying out as outlined in the KENSUP communication strategy. Up to 22% of
respondents seemed to understand that the role of KENSUP is to collect feedback about information on
KENSUP and pass it to the government; 20% present community views to government whenever there are
concerns, 20% participate in decision making process affecting the settlements, 19% update the community
on progress in the project; 17% acknowledged they know that the SEC participates in decision making
processes affecting the community. This is an average of 20% of the respondents having an idea of at least
one role the SEC play. These roles were communication in nature and in line with SEC’s role to facilitate
community networks (GOK, 2006 p. 23).
When asked whether they were satisfied with the way the SEC was carrying out the six roles, 68% of the
respondents said no. This tied with 34% (Table 3) who felt the government should engage the community
directly and not through the SEC or any other opinion leader.
The inference here is that the community is not satisfied with the way the SEC is playing its roles as
outlined in the communication strategy. Yet according to that document SEC was meant to represent the
community in decision making, jointly with the government officials while representing the interests of the
community. The SEC is the focal point of participatory communication. The respondents who felt the SEC
was not playing its six roles well gave a number of reasons. 16% of respondents said the role of SEC as the
link between the program implementers and the settlement community had been compromised, and hence,
they had lost credibility. 15% accused the SEC of not agreeing with other opinion leaders and a total of
31% (11+6+5+4+4) accused them of bias, distorting messages, pursuing personal interests, don’t give
feedback or serving government interests. These data point to a problem at an organ in the program whose
core role was to ensure the full participation of the community, not only in decision-making, but in
providing a framework that could harmonise the disparities within the slum communities that were not
necessarily homogeneous as pointed out by in GOK (2005b). The SEC were 18 in number and were elected
by the various interest groups within the community to represent them and speak their voice in whatever
decisions that were being made in the program (GOK, 2006).
The total of 66% respondents who gave different reasons why they were not satisfied with the way SEC
was carrying out its roles as stipulated in the communication strategy seem to acknowledge there is a
problem. One key informant, the SPIU officer said the ineffectiveness of the SEC in facilitating
participatory communication in KENSUP can be traced way back to moment when the communication
strategy was being designed. At the drafting and finalizing stage, the SEC was not involved to ensure
community views are part of the document. As it is, the KENSUP implementation strategy does not
indicate the framework or link between the communication channels and SEC’s role. Although, the SEC
should facilitate participatory communication, KENSUP officers have not actively involved them in
receiving information as well as feedback from various sources within the community, processing
information plus the production, management and dissemination of KENSUP messages. The SEC do not,
on many occasions, have access to up-to-date information on the programs KENSUP officers do not share
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 36
it with them. The data from the key informants and questionnaires corroborated the inference that the role
of the SEC in participatory communication remained only on paper.
According to Freire (1970) cited in (Durbhakula & Biernazki, 1994), participatory action requires that
people become conscious both of their environment, and of their own capabilities, to influence their own
situation. Freire argued that free dialogue leads to liberation, which will then lead to action for goals shared
by the community, adding that the process of participation increases understanding and the sense of
control, which are necessary for making a contribution to development decision. SEC as an organ did not
facilitate that free dialogue and, so there is no understanding and sense of control of the program by the
community they represent. The ineffectiveness of the SEC stems from itself as well as government. A total
of 52% respondents laid blamed on SEC for its ineffectiveness while the SEC lay blame on government
whose agencies do not communicate well with them and brought out the need of using the community’s
social networks formally.
When asked for suggestions on how SEC could use communication to facilitate the participation of the
community in the programme, 21% of respondents said SEC should be chosen from existing social
groups/not from politicians or relatives/friends of government officers. 19% called for the use of respected
opinion leaders and not the SEC to pass messages to the community.
This paper agrees with Sobotová (2011) that there is always the danger that decision-making at the
community-level may fall into the hands of a small and self-perpetuating clique, which may act in its own
interests with disregard for the wider community. In this arrangement the local elites, gatekeepers and slum
leaders wish to attract outsiders’ interest and to ‘speak out’ for the community needs. That could be the
reason why in response to question D5, 5% of respondents advised SEC to articulate only the community’s
interests whenever they are meeting with KENSUP officials. Sobotová (2011) cites Berner and Phillips
(2005: 24), who note that no one will recognize the exploitation and marginalization inside slum
settlements, when the community interests are not being articulated by themselves. They add that the
poorest, disabled, in-debt or similarly disregarded slum residents benefit the least, if their representatives
are not individuals not drawn from among them.
In the study carried out by Sobotová (2011), the picture of selected Chennai slums demonstrate how the
most vulnerable groups are excluded from making their choices and from increasing their voice. The so-
called ‘community leaders’ often deliberately control information channels from the intervening agency
towards the community to prevent losing power, or to ensure more support from the ‘bottom’ to address
those ‘above’. Therefore, owing to lack of appropriate information or commonly having odd news, slum
residents may be hesitant to participate.
4. CONCLUSION
From the foregoing it was found out that the Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) plays pertinent roles
in the design and implementation of the KENSUP communication strategy. According to the
communication strategy, there were six roles assigned to the SEC: collecting feedback from the community
and passing it to the government; updating the community on progress in the project; presenting the
community’s views to government whenever there is a concern; participating in the decision making
processes affecting the settlement; updating the community on the program’s progress; and deciding how to
communicate program issues to the community.
However, as the responses to the survey presented in this research have shown, 68% of the residents felt the
SEC had failed to deliver on those five key roles. The SEC was the weakest link in the program, in the
dominant opinion of the residents, and possibly bore at least part of the blame for the ineffectiveness of the
participatory communication principles applied. On the other hand the SEC during the FGD reported that
Enhancing & disseminating Global Scholarly Publications www.mijsrp.org Mara International Journals
MIJ Social Sciences Research Publications, Vol. 1, No. 1, Aug. 2017, Pages 30 - 37 37
there was negative energy emerging from the community itself and division caused by other opinion
leaders who wanted to decide on behalf of the community instead of the SEC which was duly elected. The
SEC also reported tribal, economic and political allegiances took priority in the agitations by some of the
SEC detractors and saboteurs.
When asked to provide reasons that could have caused SEC not to play their role effectively, community
members provided reasons such as the SEC had lost credibility (16% of the respondents) even the members
disagreed among themselves and even with other opinion leaders like the local politicians (15% of the
respondents).
Since from the outset, the community they represented was not cohesive. Also the SEC itself did not
effectively carry out the five roles it was assigned in the communication strategy so as to facilitate
participatory the communication in the program. The failure of the SEC to provide that mediation role had
created a big gap between the government and the community, as well as within the community itself. In
that respect, the SEC had been blamed for stifling participatory communication in the program.
5. REFERENCES
Berner, E. & B. Phillips (2005)
Left to their own devices: Community self-help between alternative
development and neoliberalism
. Community Development Journal, 40, 17 - 29
Berner, E. & B. Phillips (2005)
Left to their own devices: Community self-help between alternative
development and neoliberalism
. Community Development Journal, 40, 17 - 29
Durbhakula, M., & Biernazki, W. E. (1994). Group and participatory communication.
Communication
Research Trends, 14
(4), 1-48.
GOK. (2005).
KENSUP communication strategy
. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.
GOK. (2006).
KENSUP Programme implementation strategy 2005-2020. Nairobi:
Government of Kenya.
Karl, E. W., & Susan, J. A. (2001). Learning in organizations. In M. J. Frederic, & L. Putnam (Eds.),
The
new handbook of organizational communication: Advances in the theory, research and methods
(pp. 704-731). London: Sage Publications.
Melkote, S. R., & Steeves, H. L. (2001).
Communication for development in the Third World: Theory and
practice
(2
nd
ed.). New Delhi , India: Sage Publications.
Okigbo, C. (1985). Is development communication a dead issue?
Media Development
,
4
(23), 5-20.
Sobotová (2012)
Challenges for participatory development in informal urban settlements
. Presented at the
PhD conference “10th Development Dialog: Knowledge for Equity and Social Justice”.
International Institute of Social Studies of the Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Hague, The
Netherlands 8th – 9th October 2012.
UN-Habitat. (2005).
State of the world’s cities: 2008/2009 harmonious cities.
London: United Nations
Human Settlements Programme.
Cite this article:
Kimeto, L. (2017). The Role Played by Settlement Executive Committee in the Design and Implementation
of the KENSUP Communication Strategy in Kibera, Kenya.
Mara International Journal of Social
Sciences Research Publication,
Vol. 1, No. 1, Pages 30 - 37