World Development & Relief Committee

Local Projects/Overseas Conferences

PROJECTS IN AFRICA

Wise Women: Nyansakia, Kisii, Kenya

WDRC is funding a poultry rearing training project with the aim of promoting income generation and improving nutrition in this part of western Kenya.

£4,834 / €7,735

Kisii District

The district is mostly hilly and is dissected by rivers flowing west into Lake Victoria, notably the Kuja and Mogusi. Lack of infrastructure like electricity, telecommunications and good roads inhibit the full exploitation of resources.

	Kisii scenery

The hilly nature of the district leads to serious soil erosion and makes road communication difficult, especially in the rainy season when many roads (only 10% of which are tarmacked) become impassable.

Population

According to the 1979 census Kisii district had a population of 588 000, but by 1996 the annual population growth rate of 3.6% meant that the population is now well over 1 200 000 (19% of whom live in urban areas). This makes Kisii district one of the most densely populated in Kenya.

Health

Health facilities are inadequate, unevenly distributed and lacking in essential medicines. There are two hospitals - the government-run facility in Kisii Town and the Mission Hospital in Tabaka - but the bed occupancy rate is 160.3%. The major diseases in Kisii are malaria, anaemia, pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, measles and gastroenteritis. The first AIDS cases in Kenya were recognised in 1984 (1987 in Kisii district), but it is now believed that 1 in every 18 adults is infected with the HIV virus in all areas.

Economy

Due to the high population density, almost all land in Kisii district is put to maximum agricultural use. Land is subdivided within families, meaning that plots are becoming ever-smaller and the average farm is only 1.5 hectares in area. Intensive farming in hilly regions has increased the rate of soil degradation and erosion, while the application of farm chemicals has polluted surface and groundwater sources. More then 90% of rural household energy needs come from wood, but the district is no longer self-reliant and other sources such as biogas are being encouraged.

Education

In 1993 there were 679 primary schools and 134 secondary schools in the district, and enrolment is increasing. Most schools in Kisii district lack science laboratories and many teachers are not fully trained, reducing the ability of pupils to complete their education. Female enrolment in secondary school is good at 45%, while adult literacy is 56% (high in relation to much of Kenya). However, given that fees for secondary school are in excess of Ksh. 5000 per year it is not hard to see that for most children, primary education is all they will ever be able to look forward to.

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