COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF UPPER ATHI RIVER BASIN, KENYA
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF UPPER ATHI RIVER BASIN, KENYA
Joy Kendi Kiogora - PhD Scholar (Public Policy), Kenyatta University, Kenya
Sunday Polycarp Obilloh (PhD) - PhD Scholar (Financial Mathematics and Risk Analysis), Strathmore University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Although the Kenyan Constitution and Water Act is clear on why community members ought to participate in the Integrated Water Resource Management for sustainable water management in Kenya, unsustainable use of water is still rife in the Upper Athi River Basin. The communities residing in the Upper Athi River Basin have over the years ignored the law and have instead continued to direct sewers and dumped industrial waste into the rivers, expand settlements and farming activities, all which have dire consequences on the river waters. In response to this, this study explored the factors that influence the community members to either or not participate in the Integrated Water Resource Management in order to enhance conservation and sustainable water resource use in Upper Athi River Basin. In particular, the study investigated how community awareness and institutional capacity building impact community participation in Integrated Water Resource Management. The study was anchored on Social Learning Theory and Citizen Participatory Theory. The study employed descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected from 194` respondents through questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group discussions, and observations. The instruments were subjected to validity and reliability test. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Chi square test for independence was used to test the significance of community awareness, community managerial skills, institutional capacity building, and social economic factors on community participation in Integrated Water Resource Management in upper Athi River Basin. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The study adhered to set ethical conditions. Results of the study were presented in tables and figures. Results of the study revealed that levels of community awareness, community managerial skills, institutional capacity and, poor socio economic conditions had significant impact on community participation in Integrated Water Resource Management in upper Athi River Basin. The study concluded that the government and other interested water parties should take necessary measures to improve the level of community awareness, community managerial skills, institutional capacity building, and the socio-economic status of the people in upper Athi River Basin so as to enhance community participation in water issues. The study recommended that the Integrated Water Resource Management should integrate all stakeholders in water conservation; it should in collaboration with Government and NGOs sensitize the communities and also provide them with basic skills on water use and conservation; allow locals to exercise leadership; empower locals on water conservation techniques; provide capacity building to community members; ensure social equity and equality in water resource use; encourage women to participate in water resource management and conservation; financially empower the communities at all levels of projects implementation; and ensure full inclusion of community members in water issues so that they can get a sense of ownership.
