Evaluating the efficacy of the World Bank’s OP 4.12 policy in resettlement action plans: a case study of the Mwache Dam Project

Abstract

The World Bank’s OP 4.12 policy provides procedural protections for project-affected persons (PAPs) displaced by development projects. Grounded in the theories of social justice, impoverished risks and reconstruction model, and implicit bias theory, the research undertaken sought to evaluate the efficacy of the OP 4.12 policy by focusing on its implementation in resettlement action plans (RAPs), for the Mwache Dam Project in Kenya. The research adopted a correlational research design and quantitative methods approach, with particular emphasis on gender dynamics and family structure, livelihood restoration and social well-being, and challenges encountered by government institutions and associated stakeholders. Data were collected from affected households and analysed using quantitative techniques to assess patterns and relationships. The findings revealed inadequacies in the efficacy of the OP 4.12 policy in the implementation of RAPs, with projects showing little to no compliance with the policy framework in the execution of RAPs. There were significant gaps in the application of the policy concerning gender dynamics and family structures, with the compensation process disproportionately favouring male-headed households as compared to female-headed households. Resettlement impacts PAPs significantly, especially regarding poor alignment with the OP 4.12 policy, undermining livelihood restoration and social well-being. Finally, government institutions and stakeholders encountered challenges, such as inadequate communication, insufficient stakeholder engagement, and gaps between national and international resettlement standards when implementing RAPs aligned with the OP 4.12 policy. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the World Bank consider deploying agents or representatives during project resettlement to ensure strict enforcement of the OP 4.12 policy and adherence to its guidelines, that governments align national resettlement legislations with international best practices, and that project managers address inadequate national standards by including international best practices to improve effectiveness in the implementation of RAPs. Keywords: Involuntary Resettlement, Resettlement Action Plan, Compensation, Project- Affected Persons, World Bank.