Community Development - Term-Based Revision Questions (Certificate Level, Kenya)

1. Definition of Terms (20 Marks)

Q1. Define these terms as used in community development:

  1. Community mobilization
  2. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
  3. Asset-based development
  4. Social infrastructure (5 marks each)

Model Answers:
a) Community mobilization: Process of engaging community members to collectively address development issues
b) PRA: Collaborative method where communities analyze their own conditions using local knowledge
c) Asset-based development: Approach focusing on existing community strengths/resources
d) Social infrastructure: Facilities that enhance quality of life (e.g., schools, hospitals)

2. Characteristics of Community Development (15 Marks)

Q2. Explain FOUR distinguishing features of community development programs in Kenya (15 marks)

Key Characteristics:
1. Participatory: Involves beneficiaries in decision-making (e.g., public barazas)
2. Sustainable: Creates long-term solutions (e.g., water project maintenance committees)
3. Holistic: Addresses multiple needs (economic, social, environmental)
4. Empowering: Builds local capacity for self-reliance

(3-4 marks per characteristic with example)

3. Benefits of Community Development (15 Marks)

Q3. Analyze THREE benefits of community development to:

  1. Individuals
  2. The nation (15 marks)

Model Answers:
a) Individuals:
- Improved livelihoods (skills training)
- Enhanced social networks
- Better access to services

  1. Nation:
    • Reduced poverty levels
    • Strengthened social cohesion
    • More equitable resource distribution

(2.5 marks per point)

4. Functions of Community (20 Marks)

Q4. Compare traditional vs. urban community functions in Kenya using this table:

Function Rural Community Example Urban Community Example
Socialization Initiation ceremonies Youth mentorship programs
Economic Support Harambee contributions SACCOs

(10 marks - 1 mark per cell + 2 marks for analysis)

5. Types of Communities (15 Marks)

Q5. Classify these Kenyan communities and state ONE development challenge each faces:

  1. Samburu pastoralists
  2. Kibera slum dwellers
  3. Lamu fishing communities (15 marks)

Answers:
a) Rural/nomadic: Climate change affecting grazing patterns
b) Urban/informal: Overcrowding and poor sanitation
c) Coastal: Declining fish stocks due to overfishing

(5 marks per community)

6. Principles of Community Development (25 Marks)

Q6. Demonstrate how these principles apply in Kenya’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF):

  1. Bottom-up planning
  2. Accountability
  3. Inclusivity (15 marks)

Application Examples:
a) Public participation in project identification
b) Audited financial reports
c) Reserved funds for women/youth/PWDs

(5 marks per principle)

Q7. Why is “culture-sensitive approach” vital in Maasai community projects? (10 marks)

Key Points:
- Preserves indigenous knowledge
- Enhances project acceptance
- Avoids conflict with traditions

7. Culture, Education & Development (30 Marks)

Q8. Examine how cultural practices influence:

  1. Girl-child education in Northern Kenya
  2. Agricultural development in Western Kenya (15 marks)

Analysis:
a) Early marriage vs. school attendance
b) Traditional farming methods vs. modern techniques

Q9. Compare formal, non-formal and informal education using Kenyan examples (15 marks)

Comparison Table:
| Type | Example | Development Role | |—————|————————–|————————–| | Formal | TVET colleges | Skills certification | | Non-formal | FAO farmer field schools | Agricultural extension | | Informal | Jua kali apprenticeships | Entrepreneurship training |

(5 marks per row)

8. Community Capacity Building (20 Marks)

Q10. Design a capacity building program for:

  1. Youth group starting poultry farming
  2. Women’s water management committee (20 marks)

Program Elements:
1. Needs assessment
2. Training modules
3. Mentorship plan
4. Monitoring framework

(5 marks per component)

9. Community Workers (15 Marks)

Q11. Differentiate roles of:

  1. Social animator
  2. Community health worker
  3. Extension officer (15 marks)

Role Clarifications:
a) Social animator: Facilitates group mobilization
b) CHW: Provides basic healthcare education
c) Extension officer: Transfers technical skills (agriculture, etc.)

(5 marks per role)

10. Infrastructure (25 Marks)

Q12. Assess how these impact community development:

  1. All-weather roads in Mandera
  2. Solar-powered boreholes in Kitui
  3. ICT hubs in Kisumu (15 marks)

Development Impacts:
- Improved market access
- Water for domestic/livestock use
- Digital skills and employment

(5 marks per infrastructure type)

Q13. Why is maintenance crucial for community infrastructure projects? (10 marks)

Key Reasons:
- Ensures sustainability
- Protects initial investment
- Builds local ownership

Case Study (30 Marks)

Q14. A proposed dam project in Pokot faces resistance due to:

  • Land disputes
  • Cultural sites submergence
  • Unequal benefit sharing

Tasks:
a) Identify THREE conflict resolution strategies (9 marks)
b) Propose a community engagement plan (12 marks)
c) Suggest monitoring indicators (9 marks)

Model Answers:
a) Strategies: Mediation, benefit-sharing agreements, cultural impact assessments
b) Plan: Public forums, project committees, information campaigns
c) Indicators: # of disputes resolved, % community participation, project timelines met