Civil Society Organizations: Capacity to Address the Needs of the Urban Poor in Nairobi

Akaco Ekirapa, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
George Mgomella, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Catherine Kyobutungi, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

Civil society organizations proliferate in areas underserved by governments. This study aims to describe the CSO landscape in three Nairobi slums and assess their capacity to deliver services that impact on the health of residents. Data on core business, financial management, governance structures, and monitoring and evaluation systems of 952 CSOs were collected and descriptive analyses done. 47% reported HIV/AIDS as their core business, 45% savings & credit, 34% environment, 27% water & sanitation, 19% child health and 15% sexual & reproductive health. Most CSOs reported good financial management, governance structures and M&E systems. 43% have received technical support from other organizations, and 24% reported receiving funding in the previous five years. Only 27% were represented in district health stakeholder forums. There is need to validate the CSO self-reports and assess the quality of services provided. CSOs and health governance structures need to work closely to improve health outcomes.