Factors influencing equitable distribution of water supply in Embu county Kenya: a case of Embu water and sanitation company limited

Abstract

Embu County according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2010), the 2009 Kenya national census shows water coverage level at 50% with 68% of the population in Mbeere districts not having access to improved water sources and 42% of the population in Embu Districts not having access to improved water sources. The purpose of the study was to assess the factors influencing equitable distribution of water supply in Embu County. The study objectives were; to assess how water resource infrastructure influence equitable distribution of water supply in Embu County, to establish how financial resource allocation influence equitable distribution of water supply in Embu County, to identify how government interventions influence equitable distribution of water supply in Embu County and to examine how household economic characteristics influence equitable distribution of water supply in Embu County. The study employed the descriptive survey design using permanent employees in the Departments of Finance and Commercial Services, Technical and Administration. A sample size of 82 was drawn from a target population of 103 employees of Embu Water and Sanitation Company Limited. The data was collected through a structured and unstructured questionnaire and analysis done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Inferential analysis correlation and regression was done to examine the strength and relationship on the factors influencing equitable distribution of water supply. The results established that there was a significant variation of 71.95% between the factors influencing equitable distribution of water supply and the equitable distribution of water in Embu County. The study concluded that equitable distribution of water in Embu County has been achieved to a moderate extent. There is increased rate in water supply in the county and adequate supply of water to some households as well as increased equitable water distribution to a moderate extent in Embu County. The study recommends that the management of Embu Water and Sanitation Company Limited enhance equitable distribution of water by increasing the rate in adequate water supply for all regions and households in the county.