Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Capacity Assessment for Marsabit and Turkana Counties.

GIZ, a global development agency, sought to enhance the Food and Nutrition Security – Enhanced Resilience (FNS-ER) Programme in Marsabit and Turkana counties, Kenya. The primary challenge was to assess the availability, accessibility, and quality of gender data and to evaluate the capacity of county departments and NGO partners in monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

GIZ partnered with Indepth Research Institute (IRES) to conduct a comprehensive M&E capacity assessment. The project focused on evaluating existing gender data, identifying gaps, and enhancing M&E capabilities to promote gender equality and empower women and girls in the East African context.

Key Outputs

1. Inventory of M&E Capacity: IRES created a detailed inventory of existing capacities, needs, and gaps for the County Governments of Marsabit and Turkana and their NGO partners involved in the FNS-ER programme. This inventory provided a clear understanding of the current state of M&E capabilities.
2. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: In close collaboration with the Regional Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Expert, IRES developed a comprehensive M&E plan for the FNS-ER programme. This plan included data collection and reporting tools tailored to the programme's specific needs.
3. Capacity Building Strategy and Plan: IRES devised a targeted Capacity Building Strategy and Plan to address the identified needs. This strategy aimed to enhance the M&E skills and knowledge of county departments and NGO partners, ensuring sustainable improvements in programme implementation and impact assessment.

The M&E capacity assessment and subsequent interventions significantly strengthened the ability of Marsabit and Turkana counties to monitor and evaluate the FNS-ER programme effectively. By improving gender data management and M&E capabilities, the project contributed to more informed decision-making and better resource allocation.

Ultimately, this led to enhanced food and nutrition security and greater resilience for the communities in these counties.