SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY

Abstract

The Government of Kenya has been implementing the water sector reforms since the enactment of the Water Act 2002 to improve sector efficiency and accelerate water service provision. In Kakamega County, 43 per cent of the water produced is unaccounted for due to illegal connections and water wastage. Therefore, the overall objective of this study is to assess the effect of socio-economic factors on sustainable water supply in Kakamega County. Specifically, the study determined the effect of water tariff on sustainable water supply in Kakamega county, to establish the effect of water production costs on sustainable water supply in Kakamega County, to establish the effect of household characteristics on sustainable water supply in Kakamega County and to establish moderating effect of subsidies on the relationship between socio economic factors and sustainable water supply in Kakamega County. The study used mixed research design comprising of correlation research design, longitudinal and descriptive research designs. Secondary data was applied for this study. The researcher analyzed data between 2013-2022. The study targeted 34,206 water connections in Kakamega County. Secondary data was used for this study which was collected from Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO), Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), World Bank and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The study computed both descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (simple linear regression analysis, multiple regression analysis and hierarchical regression analysis). The study found that Water Tariffs, Water Production Cost and Household Characteristics had a significant positive effect on Sustainable Water Supply (p<0.05). The study further found that Water consumption Subsidy had a positive moderating significant relationship between socio economic determinants and Sustainable Water Supply (p<0.05). The study concluded that an increase in water tariff, water production cost and household characteristics would result to significant increase in sustainable water supply in Kakamega County. The study recommends that water companies should improve the tariff base for sustainability. Water firms should manage cash inflow and outflows for water sustainability. The number of households or water users should be assessed to ensure sustainability. The study suggests that water firms should accommodate all people by providing subsidies where applicable. The findings of this research are crucial to various stakeholders in this sector including the nation’s monetary and fiscal policy makers, the house owners and other scholars.