An Analysis of Multiple Actors in Urban Water Supply: Case of Langas Informal Settlement, Eldoret Municipality

Abstract

Provision of water in urban areas and particularly informal settlements has been a challenge to many governments all around the world and especially in developing countries. Numerous research has been conducted in search for the best and most innovative strategies that will provide a solution to these perennial water challenges. The general objective of this study is to analyse the multiple actors involved in water supply in urban areas specifically in the informal settlement of Langas. Langas is an informal settlement located within Eldoret Municipality, Kapseret Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. The settlement is home to approximately 127,167 people. The settlement is facing water access and supply challenges among others. The study had three objectives which included identifying those involved in water supply in Langas area, identifying their roles and interests in the water supply process and proposing an urban management framework that addresses all the interests of the actors who are involved in water supply and still ensures that the consumer gets the right commodity under favourable conditions. The study employed descriptive survey research design and a sample of 71 respondents was arrived at using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The return rate was 85.9% and included respondents from the State (ELDOWAS and Uasin Gishu County Directorate of Water), local area community and community based organizations. From the study it was found that there are four key actors who include the local community, landlords, CBOs and the State. These actors have different roles and interests and lack of coordination leads to inefficiencies. The study recommends a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership that would bring together all the actors with the State playing the middle-man role and firmly taking up its coordination and regulation role. The findings from this research shall offer guidance towards policy formulation which if heeded will cause an exit from the conventional way of providing water to recognizing the various actors, their roles and the resources that can be harnessed through a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership with the goal of providing the community with the right commodity at the right price and quantity.