Effects of privatization on water sector, a study of employee attitudes and perceptions of the change in Nairobi region

Abstract

The GOK initiated reforms in the water sector in the year 2002 with an aim of making the sector more effective in service delivery. The water Act 2002 established water services boards to replace the MWI and NWCPC in direct water provision and sewerage services. The MWI and NWCPC were the two government agencies that had the mandate then to provide water and sewerage services throughout the country. (Transfer Plan 2004)

Majority of the employees of MWI and NWCPC especially those in direct water provision and sewerage services were deployed to work in these new institutions since their parent organizations i.e (MWI & NWCPC) had taken up new different roles. These employees had been writing letters requesting to go back to their parent organizations. Others especially the young professionals resigned and took up jobs elsewhere. (Correspondences in the files). The union that represents these employees went to court to challenge the governments’ rationale of deploying their members to these new institutions.

The researcher in undertaking the research hoped to find out why all these was happening yet the reforms were meant to improve service delivery and in turn offer employees better terms and conditions of service. The researcher used a questionnaire to gather data that could help to answer the question. This method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big enquiries. It is being adopted by private individuals, research workers, private and public organizations and even by government., Kothari, (2004).