Influence of Implementation of Community Water Projects on Social Development in Kenya: a Case of Todonyang, Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Water projects play a critical role in the overall social development of a Todonyang community. Africa has been discovered to have the lowest total water supply coverage compared to other continents in the world. Even with the constant efforts of community-based water projects in guaranteeing access to clean drinking water for all, the service is still not adequate for the ever growing human population. This study therefore sought to investigate influence of implementation of community water projects on social development in Todonyang, Turkana County in Kenya. This study was guided by the following research objectives: to examine how types of water projects, water funding agencies and stakeholder participation influence on social development in Todonyang. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study constituted of 18,000 local community members, 17 community leaders, 8 water committees’ members and representative of non-governmental organisations operating in the Todonyang town, Turkana County. The sample size of this study included two hundred and twenty-two (222) community members 17 community leaders, 8 water committees’ members and 5 representatives of non-governmental organisations. Both simple random and purposive sampling procedure were used to arrive at the sample size. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the local members whereas; interview guides were used to collect information from the non-governmental organisation representatives. Data that was collected from the field were filtered, sorted out and cleaned in line with research objectives. The data was then coded, and entered into and analysed using statistics software (SPSS, Version 25.0). Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. It involved calculation of percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviation. Thematic analysis entailed the creation of themes related to the study variables. This was performed on the qualitative data provided by the open-ended parts in the questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis helped to analyse inferential data. The results were presented using tables. The study found that the major project sources of water supply in Todonyang are dams and boreholes which greatly influence social development. The study also established that water funding agencies promotes water infrastructure for improved sanitation and increases availability of safe drinking water greatly influence social development in Todonyang. The study also revealed that corporate responsibility towards improving community welfare and improving water infrastructure moderately influence social development in Todonyang. The study concluded that types of water projects had the greatest influence on social development in Todonyang, Turkana County, followed by stakeholder participation, then water funding agencies had the least influence on the social development in Todonyang, Turkana County. The study recommends that social development stakeholders in Todonyang, the beneficiary community and donors need to implement water projects of different types because this would enhance social development in the area. The study also recommends that the stakeholders in all the social development related projects needs to be involved in project financial management, project governance, project operations and management and project monitoring and evaluation to ensure all the projects are implemented adequately.