Human Rights-Based Approach to Community Development: Insights from a Public–Private Development Model in Kenya

David Odhiambo Chiawo, Peggy Mutheu Ngila (), Jane Wangui Mugo, Mumbi Maria Wachira, Linet Mukami Njuki, Veronica Muniu, Victor Anyura, Titus Kuria, Jackson Obare and Mercy Koini
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David Odhiambo Chiawo: Centre for Biodiversity Information Development, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Peggy Mutheu Ngila: Centre for Biodiversity Information Development, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Jane Wangui Mugo: Centre for Biodiversity Information Development, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Mumbi Maria Wachira: Strathmore Business School, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Linet Mukami Njuki: Strathmore Research and Consultancy Centre, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Veronica Muniu: Centre for Biodiversity Information Development, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Victor Anyura: Communication Department, Strathmore University, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Titus Kuria: ForumCiv Kenya, Nairobi 00502, Kenya
Jackson Obare: ForumCiv Kenya, Nairobi 00502, Kenya
Mercy Koini: ForumCiv Kenya, Nairobi 00502, Kenya

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 3, 1-25

Abstract: The right to development, an inherent human right for all, emphasizes that all individuals and communities have the right to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development that ensures the full realization of human rights. In Kenya, where a significant portion of the population faces poverty and vulnerability to climate change, access to rights-based needs such as clean water, healthcare, and education still remains a critical challenge. This study explored the implementation of a Human Rights-Based approach to community development through a Public–Private Development Partnership model (PPDP), with a focus on alleviating poverty and improving access to rights-based services at the community level in Narok and Nakuru counties. The research aimed to identify critical success factors for scaling the PPDP model and explore its effects on socio-economic empowerment. The study employed a mixed-methods approach for data collection, using questionnaires to obtain quantitative data, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with community members, local leaders, and stakeholders to gather qualitative data. We cleaned and analyzed all our data in R (version 4.4.3) and used the chi-square to establish the significance of differences between areas where the PPDP model was implemented and control areas where it was not. Results reveal that communities with the PPDP model experienced statistically significant improvements in employment, income levels, and access to rights-based services compared to control areas. The outcomes underscore the potential of the PPDP model to address inclusive and sustainable development. This study therefore proposes a scalable pathway beginning with access to rights-based needs, followed by improved service delivery, and culminating in economic empowerment. These findings offer valuable insights for governments, development practitioners, investment agencies, and researchers seeking community-driven developments in similar socio-economic contexts across Africa. For the first time, it can be adopted in the design and implementation of development projects in rural and local communities across Africa bringing into focus the need to integrate rights-based needs at the core of the project.

Keywords: community development; partnerships; poverty alleviation; human rights-based approach; rights-based needs; socio-economic empowerment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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