BRIDGING INFORMATION AND ACTION: FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS' COMMUNITY INFORMATION STRATEGY FOR FOOD SECURITY AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN ISIOLO COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
This article examines the influence of Faith-Based Organizations' (FBOs) community information strategy on food security and social transformation in Isiolo County, Kenya. A concurrent mixed-methods design was used, combining a structured questionnaire administered to 36 leaders and community representatives drawn from thirteen qualifying FBOs with focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson product-moment correlation; qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Communication systems were largely inadequate: 80.6% of respondents reported that FBOs do not use diverse communication channels, and 69.4% reported weak community support for, and weak adoption of, effective communication strategies, though 63.9% acknowledged reasonable responsiveness. Information-related variables nonetheless correlated very strongly with broader community engagement and social outcomes, with coefficients ranging from 0.8651 to 0.9671. Information therefore functions as a foundational, enabling process rather than an isolated communication activity. Findings are bounded to FBOs with an explicit food security mandate operating for at least ten years in one ASAL county, and the modest sample limits sub-group analysis. FBOs should diversify communication channels beyond community meetings and local radio, particularly toward mobile-based platforms, and institutionalize feedback loops to strengthen dialogical, two-way communication with communities.
Keywords: Community information strategy: Communication: Faith-based organizations: Food security: Social transformation
References
Adebisi, Y. A., Rabe, A., & Lucero-Prisno III, D. E. (2021). Risk communication and community engagement strategies for COVID-19 in 13 African countries. Health Promotion Perspectives, 11(2), 137–142. https://doi.org/10.34172/hpp.2021.19
Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944366908977225
Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16, 297–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme, & World Health Organization. (2024). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2024: Financing to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd1254en
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Continuum.
High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. (2024). Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition. Committee on World Food Security.
Ibrahim, H. Y., Adeola, S. S., & Ibrahim, H. I. (2020). Determinants of food insecurity among farming households in Katsina State, North Western Nigeria: An ordinal logit regression approach. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade, 68(2), 283–292.
International Food Policy Research Institute. (2024). 2024 global food policy report: Food systems for healthy diets and nutrition. IFPRI. https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294675
Lawrence, P. R., & Lorsch, J. W. (1967). Differentiation and integration in complex organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 12(1), 1–47.
Muchadeyi, F. (2022). Aid agencies and sustainable livelihoods in rural communities: A case of Zaka District [master's thesis]. Midlands State University.
Mugenda, O., & Mugenda, A. (2018). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (2nd ed.). Acts Press.
Nakasone, K., & Suvedi, M. (2021). Small farmers and market economy: A case study of Dagomba in Northern Ghana. Journal of Food Security, 5(4), 134–147. https://doi.org/10.12691/jfs-5-4-4
Omotesho, O. A., Adewunmi, M. O., & Muhammed, A. (2019). Determinants of food insecurity among rural households in Kwara State of Nigeria. African Journal of Agriculture, 2(1), 1–10.
Pateman, C. (1970). Participation and democratic theory. Cambridge University Press.
Shapiro, I. (2005). Theories of change. Beyond Intractability. http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/theories_of_change
Toromade, A. S., Soyombo, D. A., Kupa, E., & Ijomah, T. I. (2024). Reviewing the impact of climate change on global food security: Challenges and solutions. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(7), 1403–1416.
