Machine goods and spare parts industries: a case study of the water pumps industry in Kenya

Abstract

Machine Goods and Spareparts Industries are critical in the development process since they produce the necessary and suitable machines and spareparts for all sectors of the economy. This research studied the set up and functioning of the Water Pumps Industry in Kenya.

Empirical Analysis shows that the industry is characterized by excessive technically unnecessary water pump differentiation which is prolonging import dependency, and that domestic manufacturE and assemblers have low capacity utilization rates. It also shows that the Government is largely to blame for both ills and that straight forward solutions exist.

A feasibility study shows that indigeneous technological capacity exists to manufacture water pumps efficiently and on a large-scale and policy recommendations are made to start their production to supply most of Kenya's needs.