An assessment of infrastructure services provision and its effects on the growth of urban centres: a case study of Kipkelion, Kericho district

Abstract

Infrastructure services facilitate the efficiency of production in that they provide the means through which the process of development and growth can be undertaken. This applies to both rural and urban areas. As a result of the rapidly growing population especially in urban areas, there is a need to provide infrastructure services, especially roads, electricity, water supply and sanitation facilities in order to enhance production and welfare of a people. The existence of an efficient and reliable infrastructure is crucial to development of trade and interchange of a modem economy. In contrast the lack or the inadequacy of it greatly inhibit the growth of urban centres. ,(nfrastructure and urban growth have a positive relationship as development of infrastructure enhance the growth of urban centres. The growth and momentum at which it occurs, depend, inter alia, on geography and location of activities. Within a nation, the development of a region is directly related to its ease of access to resources and to outside markets. The propensity to interact with the outside market or to access resources depends to some extent on infrastructure services, especially roads. But to facilitate the production of those good and services, other infrastructure facilities such as energy supply (electricity), water and sanitation among others are required. The fact that these infrastructure services are either lacking or inadequate provides the basis for the study, with particular reference to how they have curtailed the growth of Kipkelion. This study has found .out that poor infrastructure provision (roads, water and sanitation services) and lack of efficient supply of energy (electricity) has hampered the growth, of Kipkelion. In order to alleviate these problems recommendations are made so as to address them. As far as road network is concerned it is recommended that roads in Kipkelion require to be improved and this include tarmacking of some roads and putting murram on others. Energy supply can be boosted through the provision of electricity not only for domestic, commercial and industrial uses, but also to facilitate efficient pumping of water for the residents. It is also recommended that sanitary facilities are provided to ensure proper waste disposal and a clean environment.