Factors Affecting the Implementation of Water Sector Reforms Strategy: A Case of Tana Water Services Board

Abstract

According to the National Water Services Strategy (2007-2015), water is the most important natural resource, indispensable for life and the backbone of the growth and prosperity of mankind. Due to poor access of water and sanitation the Government initiated a process of reforms for the entire water sector which led to a new water policy and new sector strategies with an aim of attaining some outcomes like increased access to water and sanitation, increased funding among others. The Water Service Boards have however not been able to sufficiently implement the water sector reform strategy as expected since most of the expected outcomes of the water reforms have not been attained. It is in the light of this that the researcher wanted to find out why the expected outcomes had not yet been attained by conducting a study on the factors affecting the implementation of the water sector reforms strategy at Tana Water Services Board. To conduct the study, descriptive survey method was used. The study was carried at Tana Water Services Board Headquarters in Nyeri where a total population 75 staff members were targeted. Primary data was collected by use of questionnaires while secondary was through periodic reports , journals, government publications, academic works, internet and TWSB’s financial records . Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics. The collected data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistical techniques and presented through frequency tables, of pie charts, bar charts. The study established that 87.8% of the respondents felt that autocratic leadership style affected implementation of the strategy. 51.22% of the respondents indicated that planned activities were not adequately funded thus affecting implementation of strategy. Majority of the respondents ( 90.2 % ) were aware of the Board’s core values but some felt that the same were not upheld thus adversely affecting implementation of water sector reforms strategy. The study showed that existing systems required improvement while new ones introduced to effectively implement water sector reforms strategy. Based on the findings, the study proposes some recommendations that are; The Board to embrace participatory leadership style, to explore other avenues of obtaining resources other than relying on budgetary allocations from the government, uphold Board’s core values, ensure staff are well versed with all policies and strategies and improve existing systems, innovate and adopt new ones.