A Review on the Factors Affecting Performance of Community Water Projects in Kenya

Authors

  • Nkanatha Muthuri Phinehas Management University of Africa
  • Ochieng Dalmas Odoyo

Abstract

Water is an essential commodity for the sustenance of human life and economic progress. However, it is a scarce resource and its access and use often generates competition and conflict among the users. Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) has provided guidelines on the administrative organization and standard operations of community-based water projects in Kenya. The success or failure (performance level) of a community-based water management project can be influenced by level of community participation and ownership, training and education of the project leaders, governance structure of the project and basic management skills of leaders among other factors such as financial and technical support. Prudent use and management of the water resource is therefore fundamental. The conclusion is that more rural people were involved in addressing their own development, confidence and the more the successful level associated with water projects for success. Recommendation is that projects leaders and members should be trained on effective use of water taps to reduce the loss in quantity or quality of water as it flows from its source through water projects pipes for use to eventual disposal. The study also found out that governing policies and performance of community development projects do have a positive association. The findings showed that involvement of key development practitioners and the community in policy making and implementation and constant policy updates is central to performance. The study established a positive relationship between the availability of resources and performance of community development projects. It was clear from the findings that access and frequency of funding does influence performance and that the qualification and relevance of human resource does impact on performance. The study also established a positive relationship between community participation and the performance of community development projects. It was clear from the findings that community involvement right from project initiation influences project performance and that empowerment and development of transition mechanisms of the management teams at the community level impacts on performance and sustainability. The study recommended that the beneficiaries be committed to protect initiatives meant for their development; that the government ensures good representation of relevant stakeholders and the community in the entire process of policy making and implementation.

Key Words: Community participation, Resource Availability, Water project & Governance structures.

Author Biographies

Nkanatha Muthuri Phinehas, Management University of Africa

Postgraduate Student, Management University of Africa

Ochieng Dalmas Odoyo

Co Author

References

Acevedo, G. L., Rivera, K., Lima, L, & Hwang, H. (Eds.). (2010). Challenges in monitoring and evaluation: An opportunity to institutionalize M &E systems. Fifth conference of the Latin America and the Caribbean Monitoring and Evaluation Network. Washington DC, World Bank.

Bacharova, L., Mozos, I., & Palkovicova, L. (2011). Building the international network of mentors and young scientists: The international Scientific Summer School in Romania 2011/Genç bilim adamlari ve yöneticilerinin uluslararasi aginin kurulmasi: Uluslararasi Bilimsel Yaz Okulu, Romanya, 2011. Anadulu Kardiyoloji Dergisi: AKD, 11(6), 568.

Barnett, C., & Gregorowski, R. (2013). Learning about theories of change for the monitoring and evaluation of research uptake.

Binswanger, H. P., Jacomina, R. P., Spector, S., & Bank, W. (2010). Local and Community Driven Development: Moving to Scale in Theory and Practice. Washington D.C: New fronntiers of social policy.

Bunnet, W. (2009). Principles and Practice of Marketing, 2nd Edition Jennifer Pegg Cambridge, USA

Campos, M. (2008). Making sustainable water and sanitation in the Peruvian Andes: An Intervention Model. Journal of Water and Health 6 (1) 2008.

Cheung, O. Suen, H. Cheung, K. (2004). PPMS: a Web-based construction project performance monitoring system, Automation in Construction 13: 361–376

Chikozho, C. & Latham, C. J. K. (2005). Implications of customary law for implementing integrated water resources management in Zimbabwe: Considerations of Shona customary law as an institutional alternative. Paper presented at the workshop on ‘African Water Laws: Plural Legislative Frameworks for Rural Water Management in Africa’, Johannesburg, 26–27 January.

Chitere, O.P & Ireri, O.N (2004). District Focus for Rural Development in Kenya: It’s Limitations as a Decentralization and participatory planning strategy and prospects for the future. Nairobi: Institute for Policy Analysis and Research.

Coryn, C. L., Noakes, L. A., Westine, C. D., & Schröter, D. C. (2011). A systematic review of theory-driven evaluation practice from 1990 to 2009. American journal of Evaluation, 32(2), 199-226.

Diy, A. (2015). A Guide to Engaging the Community in Your Project. Toronto: Artscape DIY.

Donaldson, S. I., & Lipsey, M. W. (2006). Roles for theory in contemporary evaluation practice: Developing practical knowledge. The handbook of evaluation: Policies, programs, and practices, 56-75.

Downloads

Published

2019-10-31

How to Cite

Phinehas, N. M., & Odoyo, O. D. (2019). A Review on the Factors Affecting Performance of Community Water Projects in Kenya. Journal of Public Policy & Governance, 3(2), 43–60. Retrieved from https://stratfordjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-public-policy-governa/article/view/370

Issue

Section

Articles