| dc.description.abstract | Kenya is a water scarce country and it has been grappling with many management
problems of trying to improve water services provision to its population. The water
sector has thus undergone major structural reforms aimed at improving water service
provision. Several institutions, key among them water services boards have been
formed to help in the management of this scarce and yet essential resource. The purpose
of the study was to investigate the factors influencing water sector reforms in Tanathi
Water Services Board. Due to the broad nature of the study the survey research design
precluded randomized sampling technique because it was difficult to sufficiently visit
all the other 7 water boards to make the research statistically valid. Data was collected
using a questionnaire for all the staff categories within the board. To establish validity
of the questionnaire, pretesting was done by administering to colleagues who are
knowledgeable in the subject area and research methodology in order to ensure that
there are no double meanings or ambiguities in the items. To collect data the
questionnaire was personally administered by the researcher .Qualitative data was be
analyzed by developing themes related to the specific objectives. Quantitative data was
analyzed using frequency distribution tables. The participants were given assurance that
they will remain anonymous in order to uphold privacy as well as confidentiality.From
the study findings many small- scale water service providers (WSPs) have well
documented weaknesses. These providers typically lack both access to finance and the
technical and managerial capacity to use finance effectively. They also face resistance
from the formal public utilities, lack legal status or tenure and provide services that are
largely unregulated in terms of both the price and quality. It was also found that the five
year strategic plan provided by TWSB was not linked to the business plans of its agents
(WSPs) hence making it very hard to predict their economic efficiency. It also came out
from the study that there are no clear guidelines for the provision and regulation of
private sector involvement in the financing and management of water supply and
sewerage services in order to supplement efficiently the Government efforts in
supplying the poor people with water The study recommends the board to develop it as
well as linking its five year strategic plans to the business plans of the water service
providers (WSPs) under its jurisdiction. Funds from the parent ministry/donor partners
aresometimes diverted to other water services boards or misappropriated hence the
study recommends timely and adequate budgetary allocation for Tanathi water services
board.. Implementation of transfer planof both physical assets and staff essential for
implementation of water sector reforms hence the study recommends
fullimplementation of the transfer plan of physical assets and staff | en_US |
