Implications of Water Supply and Sanitation Projects on the Livelihoods of Slum Dwellers in Kenya: a Case of Kosovo Village in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi County

Abstract

Providing adequate safe water and good sanitation can enhance people's livelihood options by making significant additions to good health, clean environmental conditions and generate income. However, there exists no comprehensive study that has ever focused on documenting the implications of water and sanitation projects on the livelihoods of slum dwellers in developing countries like Kenya. The study therefore, aimed to establish the implications of water and sanitation projects on the livelihoods of slum dwellers in Kenya where the focus was on Kosovo village residents in Mathare slums. The objectives of this study was to establish the influence of water pricing on the economic status of Kosovo slum dwellers, to determine the effect of safe water provision on the health of Kosovo slum dwellers, and to examine the influence of adequate sanitation provision on Kosovo slum environmental conditions. The research design adopted for this study was the descriptive research design. The targeted population for this study included all persons over the age of 18 in Kosovo village. The study selected a sample of 515 respondents using simple random sampling. Primary data collected in this project comprised of both qualitative and quantitative data. Questionnaires were self-administered with help of research assistants. Quantitative data collected was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics using SPSS while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The results were presented through percentages, means, and frequencies. The information was displayed by use of tables and in prose-form. The research found out that water and sanitation projects in slums had contributed positively towards improved livelihoods of the residents at the local level through safe water access, reduced water pricing and improved sanitation provision. The research project recommended that water and sanitation projects should be up-scaled in slums since they were felt to have significant implications on the livelihood of the residents. The study also recommended that other infrastructural facilities that complement provision of water and sanitation projects such as proper route networks and drainage channels should be constructed alongside such projects. The study also recommended all the personnel involved in the implementation of water and sanitation projects should be constantly trained on proper project management practices and community participation ensured to ensure sustainability of water and sanitation projects thus enhancing continued livelihood improvement.