Influence of Socio-Economic Support on Child Labour in the Sugarcane Growing Projects in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of socio-economic support on child labour in sugarcane growing projects in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya. It specifically sought to: establish how literacy levels, family size and fertility rate influence child labour in sugarcane growing projects in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive survey design because it did not involve several rounds of monitoring and was thus cost effective. The target population were the household members living around the sugarcane plantations in Awendo Sub-County. The population of households around sugarcane plantations in Awendo Sub-county stood at 23,860. Krecjie and Morgan (1970) sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 378. A semi- structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Responses in the questionnaires were tabulated, coded and processed by use of a computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) programme. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were adopted. In conclusion, with regard to all the statements relating to socio-economic support and child labour; the highest mean of 4.0468 denoting large extent was obtained for family size; followed by a mean of 3.9620 denoting large extent for fertility rates. The variable with the lowest mean was literacy levels; with a mean of 3.6404 denoting large extent. Overall mean was 3.8831 denoting large extent. Therefore, socio-economic support influences child labour to a large extent in sugarcane growing projects in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya. The study recommends creation and strengthening of an independent authority to foster socio-economic development and track child labour in sugarcane growing projects.