Influence of Delegated Management Model on Stakeholders Involvement in Provision of Water Services in Kisumu City, Kenya

Abstract

Several models of water supply have been used by utility companies to supply water to their customers. Several models have been tried and there are still challenges of up-scalling and sustainability. This study investigated the influence of Delegated Management Model of water and sanitation on stakeholders’ involvement in Nyalenda informal settlement in Kisumu City, Kenya. The objectives that guided this study include; influence of managerial functions, water connectivity, health and sanitation and monitoring and evaluation systems. The research questions that this research sought to address are; to what extent does Managerial Functions as a component of Delegated Management Model influence stakeholders involvement in provision of water services, what is the extent to which Delegated Management Model influence connectivity of water services, what is the influence of Delegated Management Model on health and sanitation in the informal settlements in Kisumu City and to what extent does Monitoring and Evaluation systems as a component of Delegated Management Model influences stakeholders involvement. The purpose of this research is to investigate through empirical field survey delegated management model and come up with a viable management improvement to the model. The objective was to establish the factors that hinder stakeholders’ involvement in Delegated Management Model. It was hoped that the study would be significant to all the stakeholders in the water provision sector because the researcher hoped that this study can be used as a basis for further research. The findings and recommendations will help policy makers come up with achievable policies and a change of attitude from the local leaders and the residents with regard to DMM. The study was conducted in the informal settlement of Nyalenda in Kisumu City and was conducted using a cross-sectional survey on a sample size of 117 connected households. Master Operators and KIWASCO employees were interviewed as key informants to clarify on policies and legal frameworks and other technical issues with connected households as respondents. The sample size was selected using stratified sampling technique, where the sample was divided into stratus with every master line considered as strata of its own. Here, the researcher took 0.05% of the target population. The tool that was used was tested for its validity and reliability. The researcher conducted a pre-test in the various units, where ten households were given the questionnaires upon their consent, and therefore they were never included amongst the respondents. The study was conducted through a cross sectional survey research design. The study was based on a sample size which was drawn from the population size of 2,332 connected households. The data was collected by the researcher using the questionnaire. After the field work the researcher edited, coded and analyzed the data using both qualitative and quantitative techniques then came up with the main findings. The results are presented in form of tables. The study established that MOs are playing their role in the implementation of DMM. The research also established that KIWASCO is fully committed to the success of DMM although some employees are letting them down. The study also established that DMM has improved health and sanitation status in the informal settlements. Lastly, the research established that implementation of M and E is lacking in KIWASCO. Therefore, the researcher gave recommendations regarding these factors. The researcher recommends that KIWASCO should ensure that MOs and their employees understand DMM and be committed to its success, ensure a strong policy and legal framework for stakeholders’ engagement with communication channels specified.