ASSESSING SUSTAINABLE WATER AND SANITATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN RURAL AREAS OF KENYA: IMPACT ON SAFE WATER AVAILABILITY AND HYGIENIC PRACTICES IN FUNYULA SAMIA SUB-COUNTY

Abstract

Water is an essential commodity for the sustenance of human life and economic progress. However, it is a scarce resource and it is access and use often generates competition and conflict among the users. Water resources management authority has provided guidelines on the administrative organization and standard operations of community-based water projects in Kenya and government managed projects. The success or failure of water and sanitation projects in rural areas can be influenced by level of community participation and ownership, training and education of the project leaders, governance structure of the project and basic management skills of leaders among other factors such as financial and technical support. Prudent use and management of the water resource is therefore fundamental. The purpose of this study was to assess sustainable water and sanitation project management in Kenya rural areas, especially Funyula-Samia sub-county was considered for investigation. The aim was to identify factors that determine sustainable water, sanitation and hygienic practices management in the rural areas of Kenya. The study also investigated how do integrated and institutional management of water and sanitation projects programs impact on sustainability of water supply and hygiene practices in rural areas. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to collect primary and secondary data. The total target population comprised 2000, from 200 respondents were purposively selected. The sample comprised management committee (n=34), official (n=3), and project (n=163) members in the three water projects. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, observations, and interviews. The questionnaires were administered to randomly selected individuals in each sample category so as to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The data was compiled, given codes and input into SPSS version 26 for statistical descriptive and correlation analysis. Results revealed that factors such as training on various areas [project management (R=0.602, p< 0.001), technical expert (R=0.753, p< 0.001), financing (R=0.894, p< 0.002)], and community involvements (R=0.875, p< 0.006) have significant relationship to sustainable water management projects and factors such as community capacity building (R=0.679, p< 0.001), hygiene practices training (R=0.80, p< 0.001), behavioural change communication (R=0.70, p< 0.001), and continuous monitoring (R=0.90, p< 0.001) have significant relationship with sustainable sanitation management programs. Stakeholder involvement and financing have also significant relationship with water and sanitation programs leading accessible clean water and improve hygiene practices of rural people. Overall, the findings of this study indicated that rural water and sanitation management programs still face challenges to implement sustainable development goal 6 (SDG-6), which have been targeted to achieve clean water and sanitation to all by 2030. More investment that directs project leader and member training, and finance to increase infrastructure development is recommended to achieve SDG-6.