| dc.description.abstract | Water although a scarce resource is essential for sustenance of life on planet earth. The
scarcity is linked to among other factors, climate change, which has meant that its demand
exceeds the water available from the various water resources and above all unsustainable use of
the resource. At a global perspective, markedly the Middle East and the sub Saharan Africa are
in practical contact with intense scramble over available limited inland water resources. The
state is rather severe in shared drainage basins where it has resulted in escalated political
conflicts. In Kenya, water resources conservation activities are implemented by WRUAs under
the supervision of WRMA. This study purposed to explore the factors influencing performance
of WRUAs in conservation of water catchment areas in Kibwezi and propose solutions to the
identified challenges and existing gaps. I The study was significant since first; it studies factors
that influence the efforts of WRUAs in catchment restoration. Second, it identifies challenges
and gaps in WRUA operations and proposes relevant and viable solutions. Third, it provides
reference to further empirical studies on WRUAs in Kenya and other related studies and finally
the study will inform policy makers on the dynamism of WRUA activities particularly in
Kibwezi sub catchment. The objectives of the study were: To examine the influence of WRUA
training adequacy on conservation of water catchment areas in Kibwezi; To find out the
influence of the existing WRUA financing mechanisms on the conservation of water catchment
areas in Kibwezi; To explore the influence of merging of small WRUAs on the conservation of
water catchment areas in Kibwezi and to examine the influence of environmental knowledge by
the WRUA members on the conservation of water catchment areas in Kibwezi, Descriptive
survey research design was adopted in the study where administration of questionnaires to
participants in the study was done. The target population was the WRUA management
committee members from Kibwezi, Mbuuni/Kithangaini/Ithaeni, Muusini, Itetani and Kiboko
WRUAs in Kibwezi. The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan's table of
determining sample size from a given population where the population of 65 gives a sample size
of 56. The researcher met the individual respondents from all the WRUA under study at set dates
where the questionnaires were administered. Analysis of the open-ended questions data used
qualitative methods of data analysis while quantitative analysis was used to derive statistical
descriptions and interpretation of data that relied purely on numerical values. The research found
that relevant training programmes influenced performance of WRUAs in conservation of water
resources. It was as well found that WRUA financing mechanisms influenced performance of
WRUAs since they relied almost entirely on WSTF funding to implement their sub catchment
management plans. In addition it was found that knowledge on environment was ranked highest
'amongthe respondents as to its influence on conservation of water resources. Lastly it was found
that merging of small WRUAs had the least influence in conservation water catchment areas in
Kibwezi because it was cited as a major challenge in the area. The study recommended enhanced
training to WRUAs that must be relevant to water resources conservation to meet the changing
dynamics in environment related 'issues, adequate, well coordinated and timely disbursement of
funding for the WRUAs, a well coordinated and participative approach to the merging of small
WRUAs and environmental awareness creation on water resources conservation through public
barazas across the entire Kibwezi region to promote and enhance knowledge among the
community on water resources conservation. | en |
