Publication: Analysis of the Effect of Water Sector Reforms on Governance in Athi Water Services Board, Kenya
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2021-09
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Journal of Public Policy & Governance
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Abstract
The study analyzed the effect of water sector reforms on governance at athi water services board.
The specific objectives of the study were to examine the impact on coverage, reporting, stakeholder
and the challenges encountered in the implementation of water sector reforms on governance at
Athi Water Services Board. The study examined the moderating effect of government legislation
and donors. The study was guided by two theories: stakeholder theory and dynamic capabilities
theory. The study used mixed methodology that involved collecting data by combining both
quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The
target population was 80 employees working from the top management level, middle level
management and functional level of management. The researcher conducted a census.
Questionnaires were used to collect the data in which contained both open-ended questions and
close-ended questions. Content and the construct validity was obtained with the help of the
supervisor, who rechecked the research instruments to justify that the material inside the
questionnaire was sufficient for the research. Likewise, to test for the reliability of the instruments,
ten employees from Rift Valley Water Services Board were used and the internal consistency was
tested using Cronbach’s alpha (α) in which the recommended value of 0.7 was utilized as a cut-off
of reliabilities. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitative using
descriptive and inferential statistics.The study found that coverage is positively and significantly
related to governance (β=.337, p=0.000). Moreover, a positive and significant relationship was
found to exist between reporting and governance (β=.241, p=0.004). Further, stakeholder
participation was found to have a positive and significant relationship on governance (β=.182,
p=0.039). The regression results indicated challenges is negatively and significantly related to
governance (β=.-135, p=0.046). In addition, government legislation and donors was found to be a
good moderator. The R square increased significantly from 0.677 (67.7%) to 0.846 (84.6%) when
coverage, reporting, stakeholder participation and challenges were interacted with government
legislation. The study concluded that coverage, reporting, stakeholder participation, challenges were significant in predicting governance. The study recommended there should be adequate
connection to the informal sectors with sufficient water supply, developing of more sources of
water and enhancing the high frequency of water supply in urban areas. There is a need for the
preparation and maintenance of a strategic plan. The study also recommended that the finance
department be independent and not influenced by management. Also, there is a need for enabling
stakeholders to inspect the books of accounts freely. There should be more involvement of
stakeholders to understand the root of the water sector challenges. Sufficient funds should be
directed to the water sector to facilitate engagement in projects. There should be the facilitation of
better services for Kenyans. There should be an investment in infrastructure necessary for
production of clean water. There should be the creation of enhanced legislation that will improve
governance in the water sector in Kenya.
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Keywords
Coverage, reporting, stakeholder participation, governance, challenges on governance, government legislation, water sector reforms, Athi Water Services Board, Kenya