Factors influencing households’ access to drinking water: the case of communities in Imenti south, Kenya

Abstract

The fact that water is essential for life is indisputable. Favourable advances in many fields have been made in the global community but the basic needs of man; which are clean water and basic sanitation continues to be a mirage. Safe drinking water, sanitation and good hygiene are fundamental to health, survival, growth and development. Several factors influence the access to clean drinking water by households. This study aims at investigating the factors that influence access to clean drinking water by households in Imenti south. The objectives of the study were to investigate the water sourcing behaviour of the households as well as analyse the factors that influence their water sourcing behaviour. Descriptive survey design was used. One sub location was randomly selected from each of the three wards purposively selected for the study. A total of 90 households were randomly selected, 10 from each of the three villages selected from each sub location. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data analysis was done by use of descriptive statistics and presented using frequency tables and charts. The findings show that demographic, economic and social characteristics of a household influence its water sourcing behaviour and access to clean drinking water.