Does information technology have a role in poverty alleviation

266 Pages·2015·1.38 MB·English

ACCESS AND USE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
(ICTS) FOR RURAL POVERTY REDUCTION IN UASIN GISHU DISTRICT

EMILY BOSIRE
Bsc., MPhil (Information Sciences)

A thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy of the School of Information Sciences, Department of Library, Records
Management and Information Studies, Moi University

2011
ii

DECLARATION

Declaration by the Candidate
This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other
university. No part of this thesis may be reproduced without the prior written permission
of the author and/or Moi University.

Emily K. Bosire --------------------------- Date: -----------------
IS/DPHIL/04/06

Declaration by the Supervisors
This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University
Supervisors.

Prof. Japheth Otike --------------------------- Date ---------------------
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya

Prof. Joseph Kiplang‟at --------------------------- Date: ---------------------
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
iii

DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated to the following:
My late father, Mwalimu Alfred Bosire Omwenga, for inspiring me to work hard in
school. He told me not to stop reading till
I become a Doctor.

My mother, Truphena Kerubo, for ensuring that we went to school on time.

My daughters, Valentine and Mechthild, who put up with my busy schedules and always
urged me to go on even in their tender age.

My husband, Prof. Nathan Ogechi, for encouraging me to read and finish my
assignments on time.

Last but not least, to my sister and brothers, for their support and encouragement.
iv

ABSTRACT
Poverty is a human phenomenon associated with an unacceptable low standard of living.
It arises from many dimensions. One of these dimensions is lack of relevant and
appropriate information to carry out day-to-day activities. Reduction of poverty therefore
entails raising these standards of living by providing the information. The advent of ICTs
has changed the way people work, entertain and interact with each other. Yet, the reality
is that such changes have bypassed the majority of human kind, the billions of poor
people for whom ICTs do not mean much. The aim of this study was to investigate the
use of ICTs in the provision of information for rural poverty reduction in the rural areas
of Uasin Gishu District, with a view of proposing a framework/model of improving their
access and use. The specific objectives were to: assess the information needs of the rural
communities in Uasin Gishu District and how these needs are met; explore the extent to
which ICTs are accessed and used in the provision of information for rural poverty
reduction; establish the perception of the rural communities towards ICTs; explore the
potential role of ICTs in meeting the information needs of rural communities; establish
the challenges experienced by the rural communities in using ICTs; and to propose a
framework of improving access and utilization of ICTs by rural communities in Uasin
Gishu. The study was informed by Harris‟ info-mobilization theory. The study is a
qualitative one, consisting of a sample size of 100 participants, drawn from all the six
divisions of Uasin Gishu District. Purposive sampling was used to select participants
from the key sectors of the economy namely: agriculture, business and health. Data was
collected using semi-structured interview schedules. It was analyzed using Strauss‟s
grounded theory. The findings of the study were that: rural communities of Uasin Gishu
District need information to carry out day-to-day activities; they consult various sources
to satisfy their information needs; they use ICT tools such as mobile phones to access
information in smaller extents; the rural community perceive ICTs as major actors in
their development efforts; ICTs have a potential role to play in meeting the information
needs of rural communities in Uasin Gishu District; and the rural community faces
challenges in accessing and using ICTs, among others. The study provides the following
recommendations: creation of the right environment for ICTs; improvement of the flow
and quality of information; skills development; development of market intelligence
systems; zero taxing ICT equipment and accessories; facilitation of community workers;
implementation of alternative power supply systems; validation of indigenous
knowledge; programming in local languages; and establishing an integrated ICT centre,
among others. A framework of reducing poverty using ICTs is proposed.
v

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration ..................................................................................................................... ii
Dedication ..................................................................................................................... iii
Abstract ......................................................................................................................... iv
List of Tables................................................................................................................. ix
List of Figures .................................................................................................................x
Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................... xi
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations............................................................................. xii

CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................1
1.1 Background Information ........................................................................................1
1.1.1 Dimensions of Poverty .....................................................................................4
1.1.2 Global ICT Industry .........................................................................................9
1.1.3 ICT Industry in Kenya ................................................................................... 11
1.1.4 Impact of Competition and Liberalization on Telecommunications ................ 16
1.1.5 Legal and Regulatory Framework .................................................................. 20
1.1.6 Sector Regulation .......................................................................................... 21
1.1.7 Poverty in Kenya ........................................................................................... 23
1.1.8 An overview of Uasin Gishu District ............................................................. 24
1.2 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 28
1.3 Aim of the Study .................................................................................................. 32
1.4 Objectives ............................................................................................................ 32
1.5 Research Questions .............................................................................................. 32
1.6 Assumptions of the Study .................................................................................... 33
1.7 Scope of the Study ............................................................................................... 33
1.8 Limitations of the Study ....................................................................................... 34
1.9 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................... 34
1.10 Dissemination of the Findings ............................................................................ 36
1.11 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................ 36
1.12 The Structure of the Thesis................................................................................. 41

CHAPTER TWO :LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................ 42
2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 42
2.2 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 42
2.2.1 Systems Theory ............................................................................................. 42
2.2.2 Socio-Technical Systems Theory (STS theory) .............................................. 43
2.2.3 Social Mobilization ........................................................................................ 44
2.2.4 Info-mobilization ........................................................................................... 46
2.3 Review of Related Literature................................................................................ 50
2.3.1 The concepts of Information, Information need, Users and Information seeking
............................................................................................................................... 50
2.3.2 Information Needs of Rural Communities ...................................................... 52
2.3.3 Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) ......................................... 54
2.3.4 Community Response to ICTs ....................................................................... 66
2.3.5 Relationship Between Development, Information and ICTs ........................... 71
2.3.6 ICTs in Africa ................................................................................................ 76
vi

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................ 82
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 82
3.2 Philosophical Perspectives of Research ................................................................ 83
3.2.1 Positivist Research ......................................................................................... 84
3.2.2 Interpretive Research ..................................................................................... 86
3.2.3. Critical Research .......................................................................................... 87
3.3 Research Design .................................................................................................. 87
3.3.1 Quantitative and Qualitative Research ........................................................... 88
3.4 Qualitative Research Methods .............................................................................. 94
3.4.1 Grounded Theory ........................................................................................... 94
3.4.2 Case Study Research...................................................................................... 95
3.5 Target Population ................................................................................................. 97
3.6 Sampling Techniques ........................................................................................... 97
3.7 Rationale for the Sample Size ............................................................................ 100
3.8 Data Collection Instruments ............................................................................... 101
3.9 Structure of the Interview Schedule .................................................................... 103
3.10 Data Collection Procedure ................................................................................ 104
3.11 Validity and Reliability .................................................................................... 104
3.12 Ethical Issues in Data Collection ...................................................................... 104
3.13 Modes of Analysis ........................................................................................... 105
3.13.1 Grounded Theory ....................................................................................... 105
3.14 Data Presentation ............................................................................................. 110

CHAPTER FOUR:DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND
INTERPRETATION ................................................................................................. 111
4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 111
4.2 Demographic Analysis of Respondents .............................................................. 111
4.2.1. Age ............................................................................................................. 111
4.2.2. Level of Literacy/Education ........................................................................ 112
4.2.3. Marriage, Family Income and Role in the House......................................... 112
4.2.4. Occupation ................................................................................................. 113
4.3 Sectoral Analysis ............................................................................................... 114
4.3.1 Agricultural Sector ...................................................................................... 114
4.3.2 Health Sector ............................................................................................... 139
4.3.3 Business and Industry .................................................................................. 145

CHAPTER FIVE : DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS .................................................. 150
5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 150
5.2 Socio-economic and Demographic Factors with their Implications on Poverty ... 150
5.2.1 Age .............................................................................................................. 150
5.2.2 Marital Status, Gender Roles and Family Size ............................................. 151
5.2.3 Family Income ............................................................................................. 153
5.2.4 Literacy Levels ............................................................................................ 154
5.3 Information Needs ............................................................................................. 156
5.4 Sources of Information ....................................................................................... 159
vii

5.4.1 Informal Sources ......................................................................................... 159
5.4.2 Radio and Television ................................................................................... 163
5.4.3 Mobile Phones ............................................................................................. 165
5.4.4 Internet ........................................................................................................ 170
5.5 The Role of ICTs ............................................................................................... 172
5.5.1. ICTs can Promote Livelihoods .................................................................... 173
5.5.2 Governance ................................................................................................. 176
5.5.3 Health .......................................................................................................... 180
5.5.4. Education ................................................................................................... 181
5.5.5 Capacity Building ........................................................................................ 182
5.5.6 Business ...................................................................................................... 183
5.5.7 Exploiting Public-Private Partnership .......................................................... 183
5.5.8 Environment and Natural Resource Management ......................................... 184
5.6 Challenges/Threats to Proper Utilization of ICTs with Special Reference to Uasin
Gishu ....................................................................................................................... 184

CHAPTER SIX : SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................... 189
6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 189
6.2 Summary of the Major Findings ......................................................................... 189
6.2.1 Information Needs of the Rural Community and How they are Met ............. 189
6.2.2 Access and Use of ICTs ............................................................................... 191
6.2.3 Perception of the Rural Community towards ICTs ....................................... 194
6.2.4 Potential Role of ICTs in the Rural Areas .................................................... 194
6.2.5 Challenges in Accessing and Using ICTs ..................................................... 197
6.2.6 Framework of Improving Access ................................................................. 197
6.3 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 198
6.3.1 Socio-economic and Demographic Factors of Respondents .......................... 198
6.3.2 Information Needs ....................................................................................... 200
6.3.3 Sources of Information ................................................................................ 202
6.3.4 Mobile Phones ............................................................................................. 203
6.3.5 Internet ........................................................................................................ 204
6.3.6 The Potential Role of ICTs .......................................................................... 204
6.4 Recommendations .............................................................................................. 205
6.4.1 Creating the Right Environment for ICTs .................................................... 205
6.4.2 Language and Format of Presentation .......................................................... 206
6.4.3 Improved Flow and Quality of Information .................................................. 207
6.4.4 Skills Development ...................................................................................... 208
6.4.5 Development of Market Intelligence Systems .............................................. 209
6.4.6 Zero Tax ICT Equipment and Accessories ................................................... 210
6.4.7 Facilitation of Community Workers ............................................................. 211
6.4.8 Implementation of Alternative Power Supply Systems ................................. 211
6.4.9 Validation of Indigenous Knowledge ........................................................... 212
6.4.10 Programming in Local Languages .............................................................. 212
6.4.11 An Integrated ICT Centre........................................................................... 214
6.4.12 Framework for Poverty Reduction Using ICTs in the Rural Areas ............. 216
viii

6.5 Areas for Further Research................................................................................. 220
6.6 Achievement of the Research ............................................................................. 220

References ................................................................................................................... 222

Appendices .................................................................................................................. 237
ix

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Area and administrative units…...…………………………………………….. 25
Table 2: Population density ……………………………………………………………. 26
Table 3: Age …………………………………………………………………………... 112
Table 4: Information needs …………………………………………………………… 116
Table 5: Sources of information ………..…………………………………………….. 142
x

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Perspectives of research ……………………………………………………………. 85
Figure 2: Proposed model of improving access and utilization of ICTs in Rural Areas to
reduce poverty ………………………………………………………………………….219