Commercialization of urban water supply in Kenya: The case of Eldoret town

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of commercialization on water service delivery in Eldoret town. It builds on the premise that commercialization is a viable institutional arrangement for the management of public water services. The objectives of the study are to determine the effects of commercialization on service coverage, billing efficiency, collection efficiency and levels of unaccounted for water.

Data was obtained from several sources such as field survey and secondary sources. For the field survey, a semi-structured questionnaire was used in Eldoret town in three estates namely: Kapsoya, Elgon View and Langas. 90 respondents were randomly selected for interviewing. Eight key informants provided detailed information on key areas of investigation. Secondary data was obtained from such sources as books, articles, reports from ELDOWAS and other documents relevant to the study. In analyzing the field data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS program. MS-Excel was used to give graphic presentations of the frequency distribution. Primary findings of the study indicate that commercialization has produced mixed results on the variables under study. For instance, service ratio has increased, collection efficiency has increased and billing efficiency has improved. However, the levels of unaccounted for water have increased during the commercialization period.

Based on the findings, a number of relevant recommendations are suggested. The management of ELDOW AS should reduce its administrative and operating expenses to minimal levels so the more funds are available for the extension of its piped supply network. ELDOWAS should increase connection especially to low -income households by extending the piped supply networks to these settlements. Secondly, to help in the reduction of levels of unaccounted for water, there is need to intensify its sample checks at regular interval with an aim of ensuring that illegal connections that may have been removed have not been subsequently replaced. Lastly, in order to increase their collection efficiency, they should enforce strict disconnection measures especially to its debtors mainly the government institutions and the Municipal Council.