The Influence of social capital on resource mobilization among Community-Based Organizations in Kibera, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the role of social capital in enhancing resource mobilization among Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in Kibera, Nairobi, one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements. Social capital, comprising trust, networks, and civic engagement, was identified as a critical factor in acquiring financial, human, and material resources necessary for organizational sustainability. Despite their significant role in addressing socio-economic challenges, CBOs in Kibera continue to face persistent resource constraints, thus raising the need to deploy effective resource mobilization strategies. The general objective was to investigate the influence of social capital on resource mobilization among community-based organizations in Nairobi, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the influence of trust on resource mobilization, to establish the effect of civic engagement in enhancing resource mobilization, and to examine the influence of social network diversity on resource mobilization strategies. The research was grounded in Social Capital Theory and Resource Mobilization Theory and adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A sample size of 208 was derived from the total population using the Slovin’s formular. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods including correlation to establish the relationships between social capital dimensions and resource mobilization outcomes. The study found that civic engagement had the most significant influence on resource mobilization (r = 0.4136, p < 0.05). While trust and social network diversity also showed positive correlations (r = 0.4355 and r = 0.2843, respectively), only social network diversity was statistically significant (p < 0.05), whereas trust was not (p > 0.05). These results underscore civic engagement as the strongest predictor of resource mobilization among CBOs in Kibera. The study concluded that strengthening social capital significantly improved CBOs’ ability to mobilize resources, sustain operations, and enhance their chances of creating significant impact. However, the key limitation of this study is its cross-sectional design, which restricts the ability to assess causal relationships or changes over time. Additionally, reliance on self-reported data may have introduced bias, limiting the depth and accuracy of the findings. Practical recommendations were provided for CBO leaders, policymakers, and development partners, emphasizing the need to foster trust through transparent financial management, enhance civic engagement through advocacy, and expand networks through strategic partnerships. The study further recommended longitudinal research to assess the long-term influence of social capital on CBO sustainability. Keywords: Social capital, resource mobilization, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Kibera, Nairobi, trust, civic engagement, social networks, bonding and bridging networks, Resource Mobilization Theory, Social Capital Theory, informal settlements, organizational sustainability.