Influence of road network projects on socio-economic development among the rural dwellers of pokot south sub county, West Pokot county, Kenya

Road Network projects often aimed at socio-economic development in rural areas often results in a number benefits which accrue to all sections of the rural dwellers including less fortunate. Basing on this, the study sought to establish influence of road network projects on socio-economic development of the rural dwellers in Pokot South Sub County. This study was justified on grounds that issues pertaining road network projects in rural areas has not been focused so much in spite of them forming part of the Millennium Development Goals. The study is of benefit to the local people and the government at large as it sheds light on the importance of development of roads and their sustainability as well as socio-economic development. A descriptive survey study design was be adopted to solicit information from the residents of Pokot South Sub County. The Main data collection tool was research questionnaire which will be administered to selected residents in the sub county. The questionnaire will contain both structured and unstructured questions. Simple random sampling technique (with the help of the random table) was applied in picking the residents in each household. The sample size comprised of 315 Pokot South residents. Each of the four Divisions/wards in Pokot South Sub County provided 39 male and 39 female for the survey. Other data gathering methods that was adopted by the study are key informant interviews and informal discussions with residents (who had not be picked for administration of questionnaire) as well as structured observation. The collected data was analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) and is presented in tables and charts for ease of understanding. The finding point out that 30% of the respondents held views that there were sufficient road network in the sub-county. Further, 54% of them agreed to have witnessed construction of new roads and/or repairing of existing ones and 54.9% of the respondents alluding that the county government and national government were the main contractors. It was further established that development of road network projects in the Sub-County had opened up most of the areas which were inaccessible have and as a result improving communication and security in the whole in the area. The study makes recommendation that government both county and national should put more effort in opening up the Sub-County by constructing more feeder roads in the area.