| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study is to investigate the . factors that. influence sustainability of community water projects in semi arid areas in Kenya with a focus in Mulala division. The government of Kenya and non-governmental organizations have promoted interventions or projects aimed at improving water situations in the semi arid areas though with some low level of sustainability. This study has four objectives, namely, to examine the extent to which community participation influences sustainability of community water projects in semi arid areas; to determine the extent to which project financing influences sustainability of community water projects in semi arid areas; to assess the extent to which project management practices influences sustainability of community water projects in semi arid areas and to explore the extent to which community training influence sustainability of community water projects in semi arid areas. The study employed descriptive survey design with a sample of sixty respondents consisting of executive members of water management committees and two management staff of two non-governmental organizations. Data collected was edited, coded and analyzed using SPSS. The study was guided by two theories namely resource dependency theory and ecological modernization theory. The findings of the study indicated that community participation, project financing, project management practices and community training do influence sustainability of community water projects. It was also found out that the accountability and transparency among the committee members who manage the water resources is also a key factor which influences sustainability. If there is a perceived lack of transparency and accountability, community members tend to withdraw their support for the water projects. The study recommends that community participation in the whole project cycle should be enhanced, there should be high level of transparency and accountability in the management of water projects, donors should have adequate budgets for any water projects designed for implementation and organizations should strongly support monitoring and evaluation of their water projects beside ensuring that community responsible for management and operation of water projects are well trained in operation and maintenance. | en_US |
