ABSTRACT
Stakeholder participation has been shown to be an effective approach in increasing
access to safe water and sanitation in many parts of the world. This study
investigated stakeholder participation in management of water resources in
Machakos Sub-County of Machakos County, Kenya. Specifically, it sought to
assess the level of community participation in water resources management,
collaboration between stakeholders, stakeholder contribution in increasing access
to reliable water resources and the challenges facing the participatory approach of
water resources management in the Sub-County. The research design used was a
descriptive survey. The sampling techniques entailed simple random sampling and
purposive sampling. The research tools comprised household questionnaires,
interview schedules, observation record sheets and photography. A total of 217
households were selected through simple random sampling technique. The data
were analyzed statistically and findings presented using both descriptive and
inferential statistics. The study revealed that the key stakeholders in water
resources management in the Sub- County were; WRMA, NEMA, CAAC, Tana-
Athi WSB, SHGs, MWSCO, WRUAs, TARDA and private water service
providers. The results of the study showed that the mean quantity of water
available for domestic use from household constructed sources was significantly
lower than the recommended BWR of 50 litres/ person/ day ( x =29.61 litres/
person/ day, σ=19.41, p 0.05, n= 217, df=2). Further, most of the household heads
participated in community water resources management activities despite not
belonging to community- based water associations(x2= 4.564, p= 0.205, n=
217,df= 3). The study also found that there was a significant relationship between
training in water resources management and the impact one made in water
resources management activities (r= 0.427, p= 0.001, n= 217, df= 1). Those who
were trained made a greater impact. The study also established that there was a
significant association between the level of awareness among household heads and
their collaboration with water resource management institutions in the Sub-County
(x2= 46.270, p= 0.001, n= 217, df= 2). Community participation through SHGs and
WRUAs has a big potential in increasing access to reliable water resources in the
Sub-County. The water supply projects initiated by the identified SHGs resulted to
a high daily per capita water availability ( x = 37.85 litres, σ=8.807, p≤ 0.05,
df=20). Although most of the WRUAs were in the formative stages, one (Itetani)
had implemented water supply projects that raised the daily per capita water
availability for people in its sub-catchment area ( x =37.09, p˂ 0.05, σ=4.13,
df=10, n=11). Other stakeholder institutions which worked with communities and
led to an increase in water availability were SCWO, MWSCO and WRMA. The
main challenge facing the stakeholders was financial constraint. The results of this
study show that for participatory water resources management to take root in
Machakos Sub-County, various issues need to be addressed such as; strengthening
community-based water SHGs financially and technically, WRMA to fast track
capacity-building and SCMP development for WRUAs in the Sub-County,
mainstreaming the private water service providers, integration of stakeholders with
conflicting roles and awareness creation among the key stakeholders.
NGILE, M (2021). Assessment Of Stakeholder Participation In Water Resources Management In Machakos Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/assessment-of-stakeholder-participation-in-water-resources-management-in-machakos-sub-county-machakos-county-kenya
NGILE, MWANDO "Assessment Of Stakeholder Participation In Water Resources Management In Machakos Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya" Afribary. Afribary, 01 Jun. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/assessment-of-stakeholder-participation-in-water-resources-management-in-machakos-sub-county-machakos-county-kenya. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
NGILE, MWANDO . "Assessment Of Stakeholder Participation In Water Resources Management In Machakos Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya". Afribary, Afribary, 01 Jun. 2021. Web. 10 Nov. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/assessment-of-stakeholder-participation-in-water-resources-management-in-machakos-sub-county-machakos-county-kenya >.
NGILE, MWANDO . "Assessment Of Stakeholder Participation In Water Resources Management In Machakos Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 10, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/assessment-of-stakeholder-participation-in-water-resources-management-in-machakos-sub-county-machakos-county-kenya