An assessment of infrastructure services provision and its effects on the growth of urban centres: a case study of Kipkelion, Kericho district
Abstract
Infrastructure services facilitate the efficiency of production in that they provide
the means through which the process of development and growth can be
undertaken. This applies to both rural and urban areas. As a result of the rapidly
growing population especially in urban areas, there is a need to provide
infrastructure services, especially roads, electricity, water supply and sanitation
facilities in order to enhance production and welfare of a people. The existence of
an efficient and reliable infrastructure is crucial to development of trade and
interchange of a modem economy. In contrast the lack or the inadequacy of it
greatly inhibit the growth of urban centres.
,(nfrastructure and urban growth have a positive relationship as development of
infrastructure enhance the growth of urban centres. The growth and momentum at
which it occurs, depend, inter alia, on geography and location of activities. Within
a nation, the development of a region is directly related to its ease of access to
resources and to outside markets. The propensity to interact with the outside
market or to access resources depends to some extent on infrastructure services,
especially roads. But to facilitate the production of those good and services, other
infrastructure facilities such as energy supply (electricity), water and sanitation
among others are required. The fact that these infrastructure services are either
lacking or inadequate provides the basis for the study, with particular reference to
how they have curtailed the growth of Kipkelion.
This study has found .out that poor infrastructure provision (roads, water and
sanitation services) and lack of efficient supply of energy (electricity) has
hampered the growth, of Kipkelion. In order to alleviate these problems
recommendations are made so as to address them. As far as road network is
concerned it is recommended that roads in Kipkelion require to be improved and
this include tarmacking of some roads and putting murram on others. Energy
supply can be boosted through the provision of electricity not only for domestic,
commercial and industrial uses, but also to facilitate efficient pumping of water
for the residents. It is also recommended that sanitary facilities are provided to
ensure proper waste disposal and a clean environment.
Publisher
Department of planning