Sustainability of People Living With Disabilities Empowerment Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Globally more than one billion people experience disability, the majority of whom live in low and middle-income countries. It is encouraging that persons with disabilities” or “disability” are specifically mentioned in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The main objective of this study was to examine determinants of sustainability of People Living with Disabilities Empowerment Projects. The study utilised interviews and discussion methods, using interview guides to collect data from respondents. Both open ended and closed questions were set guided by research questions. Yamane’s formula was used for determining sample size of the youth beneficiaries (n=166 beneficiaries). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the statistical package for social science (SPSS) which helped to analyze quantitative data in form of frequency distribution tables, graphs, ratios and percentages for clear presentation of the data, based on the relevant of research questions. The study targeted 166 respondents, 160 of the respondents filled and returned the questionnaire, forming a response rate of 96.4%. Findings showed that economic determinants & Political alignments was statistically significant to sustainability of PLWD empowerment projects (β = 0.532, P = 0.006). The study also revealed that Organizational or external funding was statistically significant to sustainability of PLWD empowerment projects as shown by (β = 0.689, P = 0.001). The study revealed that holding economic determinants & Political alignments, organizational or external funding, contribution of members and organizational structure constant would significantly influence sustainability of PLWD empowerment projects as shown by constant = 1.024. It was concluded that organisational and external funding affected sustainability of projects aimed at empowering people with disability. There should be enough organizational or external funding before the commencement of the projects. This will help in setting a budget for the all project to ensure that it is completed. Also in appraisal for projects, participation of people living with disability should be ensured.