Abstract:
Water is the most important natural resource, indispensable
for life and at the same time the backbone of growth and
prosperity for mankind. In the last decade, the provision of
potable water for domestic and rural livelihood needs has moved to
centre stage on the international development agenda and in the
interventions of many Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and
National Governments. The Government of Kenya Vision 2030
acknowledges the fact that Kenya is a water scarce country and
underscores the central role water plays in the performance of key
sectors of the economy and the livelihoods of Kenyans. Under the
economic and social pillars of Vision 2030, improved access to safe
water and sanitation in both rural and urban areas, and increasing the
area under irrigation have been given prominence with the
rehabilitation and expansion of water supply identified as some of the
flagship projects. The purpose of the study was to investigate financial
management factors that influence sustainability of community
managed water supply projects in Kieni West District. The research
adopted a survey research design. The target population for the study
was 150 water committee officials and the sample size was 109
respondents who were selected using the stratified sampling method.
Key findings are that adequate understanding, identification and
estimation of the operation and maintenance costs is critical for the
sustainable delivery of water supply services; transparency of financial
management is a key issue in community management in water
projects and that without water levies and fees charged for connection
and usage, sustainability of the project will not be possible