Factors influencing management of commercialized urban water services in Kenya
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Date
2003-09Author
Muiruri, Peter N
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Water not only sustains life but also is an essential ingredient for all social and
economic developments. Provision of water services particularly in urban areas,
where the demands are high and the water resources very limited is a big challenge in
all countries. The Government of Kenya in appreciation of the need for competitive
service delivery in this sector paved way for commercialisation of urban water
services in the country in mid 1990s. Though commendable improvements have been
made in some of the commercialised water services, poor service delivery persists in
others.
This study conducted in the period between May and August, 2003 had the objective
of determining the important factors that influence management of the
commercialised urban water services in Kenya. To achieve this objective, data on all
the eight commercialised water services was collected through structured
questionnaires and personal interviews held with senior management staff of the
agencies managing these water services and staff involved in steering the
commercialisation process of water services in Kenya.
From this study, important factors that must be effectively addressed for improved
performance of the commercialised water services were identified. Financing was
identified as a major factor that inhibited the commercialisation strategy
implementation. Financing was found to affect the institutional capacity development
and water supply operations improvement. Success in commercialised water services
would only be achievable with substantial Government budgetary allocation, donor
agency support and private sector partnership in the initial phase of
commercialisation. Capability gaps were also identified in the human resources. This
gap is permeated through a fundamental mistake of transferring almost all staff from
the previous managing agency to the private water companies, as opposed to hybrid
with sourcing from the competitive market. All the issues that influence management
of the commercialised water services revolve around these two key factors; Financing
and Human resources. It is hoped that the results of this study will contribute to the
onerous task of quality water service delivery to all urban areas in this country.
Citation
Masters Of Business Administration (MBA) Degree, University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Business
Description
A management research project submitted in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Of
Master of Business Administration (Mba), Faculty of
Commerce, University of Nairobi