Provision of water and sanitation in Kenyan urban areas: an evaluation of existing and alternative models

Abstract

That water is essential for both consumption and for sanitation is not in doubt. Its management determines how people relate to their health, socio-cultural, economic development and their environment. Poor performance of urban water provision and public utilities in developing countries have led to calls for a reduction in the role of the state and the increased role of the private sector in what has traditionally been the domain of the public service. The challenges faced by water providers in urban areas are wide and varied. They include the rapid population growth due to rural-urban migration and the changing profile of these populations, with an increasing percentage being poor. Globally, governments have responded by implementing various water provision models, including fully-fledged privatisation. commerCialisation, concessions and management contracts. In Kenya, the Government initiated interventions in 1986 with the production of a Sessional Paper that stipulated the necessary measures to achieve commercialisation. Nine municipalities namely Eldoret, Kericho, Kisumu, Kitale, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, and Nyeri were identified as pilot towns for commercialisation. The primary objective of this research project was to identify whether the commercialisation so far undertaken in Kenya have successfully responded to the challenges. The other objective was to give recommendations on whether other water provision models might produce better results. In chapter one of this report, the introduction and the background of the study have been outlined. The research problem, objectives of the study and its Significance has also been stated. Chapter two which comprises the literature review, has presented the key issues in Water and Sanitation utilities, and explained the different models. Chapter three has covered the research methodology, the population, methods of data collection and analysis. Chapter four has the data analysis and findings while chapter five contains conclusions and recommendations. Further topics of research related to this area of study are also suggested here. vi