Management Practices And Sustainability Of Water Development Projects In Kajiado East Constituency

Abstract

Sustainability of water development is a global issue that has been raised as a cause of concern by scholar and professionals. In the context of this study, it is important to address factors affecting the sustainability of water projects in Kajiado East for various reasons, including the drought that has persisted for over two rainy seasons, making it important for attention to shift to the sustainability of water. The natural sources have failed to meet the needs of the ever-growing population of Kajiado East Constituency, especially in some of the towns such as Kitengela. This study sought to understand the implication of management practices such as risk management, human resources management, technology management, and financial management on the sustainability of water projects in Kajiado East Constituency. To do so, this study tested four hypotheses based on the four aspects of management upon which the study was based. The results from this study was relevant to various stakeholders including policymakers and project managers directly linked to the water projects in Kajiado East Constituency and the rest of the country. The study was based on the elaborate gap in existing literature in the relationship between the variables under study. To achieve its purpose, this study adopted cross-sectional design which matches the aim and objectives. The proposed data collection methods were interviews and survey questionnaires. The participants were individuals directly involved in the management of water projects within the constituency. This study involved 110 individuals. 100 responded to the questionnaires while 10 were the interviewees. Stratified random sampling was used for the questionnaires. Inferential statistical analysis and thematic analysis were used to test the hypotheses. The researcher concluded that the management practices were familiar with matters pertaining to performance and sustainability of water projects within Kajiado East Constituency. This involved the financial, managerial, technological, and risk management practices aspects. The Researcher concluded that technological management practices and especially I.C.T adoption by the water management committee appointed individuals was not clear at all. Most of the administrative offices had no computerized systems to keep water project records. They still used the filing system. It was concluded that the representation of a community member in the water management committee has influence on the sustainability of water projects. Hence, this empowers him/her towards participation in the decisions pertaining to the installation of the water projects. Thus, it was found his/her representation is a factor contributing towards sustainability of the water projects. The Researcher recommended that the water project management practices should seek more donor support for the purpose of financing operations of the water projects. The Research study recommended that the water project committee members should embrace use of I.C.T where water project records ought to be digitized to prevent loss of vital information or data pertaining to the water project operations. The Researcher recommends frequent capacity building programs for the water management committee appointed individuals to become confident, self-motivated and self-reliant in management of the water projects. This work may serve as the basis for further studies in project sustainability. The researcher can adopt the same study in a different sector or set up. The study was also limited to four dependent variables management practices, risk management practices, Technology management practices and financial management practices. Further research on areas requiring post implementation support is also recommended as many rural water facilities begin to experience challenges after the third year of implementation.