| dc.description.abstract | The Kenya Vision 2030 recognizes the role of science, technology and innovation in a
modern economy, in which new knowledge plays a central role in wealth creation, social
welfare and international competitiveness. Kenya has been classified as a water scarce
country according to a World Health Organization report released in 2005 and only 48 %
of the country’s rural population has access to an improved drinking water source and
this has reduced the country’s national development progress. As a result of this water
scarcity the Government and lead agencies in the water sector have come up with water
harvesting technologies like roof water harvesting and runoff harvesting in attempt to
address this alarming problem. The study assessed the factors influencing adoption rain
water harvesting technologies among households in Mbeere South Sub County. The
objectives of the study were to identify the types of water harvesting technologies in
Mbeere South Sub County, assess the influence of ecological factors on adoption rain
water harvesting among households, assess the influence of social economic factors on
adoption of rain water harvesting among households and to determine how training and
extension services influenced adoption of rain water harvesting among households. The
study was based on diffusion of innovation theory and the study used a descriptive survey
design. The study focused on all the entire population of 30,036 households of Mbeere
South Sub County. A sample size of 204 respondents was picked using stratified random
sampling and proportionate sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Pilot
testing was carried out in 10 households before the commencement of the study. Data
analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Ms Excel.
Descriptive statistics was computed and data presented using tables. The findings show
that the type of roof influences the adoption of the water harvesting technology. A total of
86% of the respondents adopted roof water harvesting technology. A total of 83% of the
respondents supported that ecological factors influence adoption of Rain water
harvesting. Social economic factors influence adoption of Rain water harvesting. A total
of 55% of the respondents showed the ability to raise funds either from financial
institutions or their economic activities for adoption of water harvesting technologies.
From the study, training and extension service (29.5%) indicated that demonstration was
the main method used in training. The research findings generated may be used by
farmers, Government agencies and other stakeholders to understand factors influencing
rain water harvesting technologies and their contribution towards food security among
households. | en_US |
