Factors Affecting Project Sustainability of Community Managed Water Supplies in Laikipia East Sub-County, Laikipia County, Kenya
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Date
2016-10
Authors
Mustafa, Parkolwa Henry
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kenya with support from multilateral and bilateral financing agencies has implemented many
rural water projects to address the pressing need of water supply and improve on local
sanitation conditions. Many rural projects fail to deliver the goods and services as planned
and operational costs increase exponentially making them unsustainable to run. The main
objective of the research was to establish the factors affecting project sustainability of
community managed water supplies with the aim of making proper recommendations for
improving their sustainability especially in a rural setting of Laikipia East Sub-County. Three
theories were used to underpin the study. These theories were Resource Dependency Theory,
Ecological Modernization Theory and Community Participation Theory. A descriptive
survey design was used. Studied population comprised members of household water
consumers, executive committee members and key informants. The respondents were
reached through household survey and purposive identification of the subject matter or key
government officials from relevant local institutions. The population size for the study was
12,162 persons out of which a sample size of 419 respondents were selected for the interview
that comprised of 387 household water consumers, 30 CBO’s committee members and 2 key
informants. The research used both probability and non-probability sampling techniques.
Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires administered to the interviewees. In
analysing data, descriptive statistics were used that were generated from statistical package
for social sciences version 21.0 and were expressed in percent, averages, frequencies and
standard deviations and displayed by use of graphs, bar and pie charts and in prose-form.
Qualitative data was collected using open ended questionnaires and subjected to content
analysis. In addition, multiple regression model was used to establish the contribution of the
regressors to the dependent variable and measured the extent to which the independent
variables affect the dependent variable. The research revealed that good community
participation ensured that those with vested interest, or are impacted by any action, are given
chance to contribute to shape up the outcome, while sustainable community managed water
supplies should have sound financial base, management skills was fundamental in ensuring
sustainability of community managed water supplies and that interaction with government
officers determines the effectiveness of project future sustainability. In conclusion, the
research found out that community participation, availability of reliable project financing,
management skills, government policy and community training enhanced sustainability of
community managed water supplies. In order to ensure sustainability of community managed
water supplies, all stakeholders (especially the local beneficiaries) should be included in all
assessment and pre-planning activities as well as planning and implementation, the
management of such projects should periodically organize training sessions for the project
management team and the local communities. The management of community managed
water supplies in Laikipia should fully engage government officers right from conception,
design and implementation of the water projects as lack of policy compliance was found vital
in ensuring sustainability of community managed water supplies, the management of
community managed water supplies in Laikipia should mobilise all the stakeholders
especially those providing financial assistance to ensure that the project has reliable financial
base.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of Degree in Master of Business Administration (Project
Management) in the School of Business of Kenyatta University