An assessment of the provision of water services to informal settlements in nyeri municipality urban locations.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to examine water provision in informal settlements in Nyeri town. The objectives of the study were; to identify the current water sources in Nyeri‟s informal settlements, assess the current levels of mains provision in the informal settlements, to identify and suggest ways of ensuring a sustainable method(s) of providing water services to the informal settlements within the municipality. The provision of this crucial service particularly in informal settlements is a major challenge and cannot be expanded at the desired rate. Therefore there is a need for new approaches to improving water provision in the informal settlements.

Multi-stage sampling design was used. The design included cluster, stratified and random sampling. In stratified sampling, respondents were grouped into three distinct categories including landlords/owners, residents and officials of Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company (considered as key informants). From these distinct categories, each stratum was then sampled as an independent sub-population. Sampling was further done by geographically clustered sampling using the four (informal settlements) locations of interest. For purposes of this study, only Ngangarithi, Kiawara, Witemere and Githwariga settlements were sampled.

Sustainable provision of basic services such as water in urban centres in such a manner as to ensure attainment of continual satisfaction of human needs without discrimination is the main objective of public services provision. Such an undertaking should be environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically and ecologically viable and socially acceptable. The services should be affordable, accessible, adequate and of desired quality.