TULLOW'S CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT OF LOKICHAR WARD, TURKANA SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, TURKANA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study, titled Assessing the Impact of Tullow's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Socio-Economic Development in Lokichar, Turkana County, Kenya, explored the effects of Tullow Oil Corporation's CSR initiatives on the local community, with a focus on both social and economic dimensions. The research aimed to identify the key components of Tullow's CSR programs, assess their influence on the socio-economic conditions of Lokichar, and gather perceptions from a wide range of stakeholders, community members, business owners, and local officials. The study was guided by Triple Bottom Line Theory, developed by John Elkington in 1994, which emphasized the importance of balancing social, environmental and economic factors in business practices and the stakeholder theory proposed R Edward Freeman in 1984, which focused on the relationship between corporation and various stakeholders. The research employed a descriptive design, utilizing both exploratory and explanatory methodologies to provide a holistic understanding of the impact of CSR on the local community. Data for the study was collected using multiple instruments, including questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis. These tools allowed for the gathering of both qualitative and quantitative data, which was analyzed using descriptive narrative and statistical techniques, and presented through tables and figures. The target population comprised community households, local students, Tullow employees, civil society representatives, and government officials in Lokichar. A stratified sampling method was employed to ensure a broad representation from various demographic and professional groups, resulting in a sample size of 300 participants. The findings of the research provided valuable insights into the role of CSR in promoting socio-economic development, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts of Tullow's initiatives. The study recommended enhanced community involvement in the planning and implementation of CSR activities, a stronger focus on skills development, and the adoption of more adaptive CSR strategies. Furthermore, the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation system was suggested to ensure the long-term success of these initiatives. The study also called for further research into the long-term impact of CSR, the comparison of CSR practices across industries, and the exploration of cultural sensitivity in CSR implementation, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. This research contributed to the CSR impact assessment discourse and provided actionable recommendations for policymakers, corporations, and communities seeking to improve corporate-community collaborations for sustainable development.