Abstract: CBOs have had an influence that has been experienced social and economic development, environmental, policy matters, infrastructure, health, and physical development among others. Despite these accomplishments, many rural areas still lack basic amenities like pipe borne water, good road networks, schools, health facilities, markets to mention a few making those areas to be grossly underdeveloped. Thus, the study sought to investigate the role of community-based organizations in rural development in Kenya: A Case of Tharaka Sub County, Tharaka Nithi County.