Assessment of public-private partnership on water service delivery in Meru county, Kenya

Abstract

The execution of public-private partnerships (PPPs) faces multiple hurdles, encompassing difficulties in identifying, selecting, evaluating, and conducting due diligence on suppliers, as well as managing supplier performance and relationships. The establishment of these partnerships is further complicated by the need to find suitable partners who share the right problem, timing, and level of resources. Overcoming challenges also involves navigating collaboration across institutional cultures and processes, making the facilitation of partnerships a complex task. Additionally, the creation and maintenance of partnerships between water supply companies and private enterprises are time-consuming and may have uncertain outcomes. This research aimed to investigate public-private partnerships and water service delivery within Meru County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Public Value Theory, resource dependence theory, and stakeholder theory. The specific objectives included examining the impact of technical skills, financial contributions, risk mitigation, and accountability on water service delivery in Meru County, Kenya. The research adopted a descriptive approach, targeting a population comprising development partners, non-governmental organizations involved in water projects, County government officials in the Ministry of Water, officials from MEWASS and IMETHA water and sanitation company, and the heads of 31,933 households in Meru County. The sample size was determined using Slovin's formula, with a census for County officials, department managers, NGO managers, development partners, and MEWASS and IMETHA officials. Simple random sampling was employed for household heads, resulting in a sample size of 395. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires for primary data, and the analysis utilized both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The data was examined using frequencies, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive metrics included frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation. The inferential analysis involved correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that technical skills, financial contribution, risk mitigation, and accountability were crucial factors influencing water service delivery. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between service delivery and financial contribution, risk mitigation, and accountability. Regression analysis confirmed a significant positive connection between these factors and water service delivery. The findings suggest that Meru County has implemented measures related to financial contribution, risk mitigation, and accountability in public private partnership in water projects, which are important for service delivery in an institution. For technical skills, the researcher suggests that public- private partnerships should seek cost-effective technical expertise to ensure high output levels. Regarding financial contributions, the recommendation is for the government to provide financial support for feasibility analyses to assess project viability effectively. For risk mitigation, public-private partnerships should involve experts in risk analysis before initiating projects. To enhance accountability, the researcher recommends incorporating more transparency measures in public-private partnerships. Lastly, the researcher suggests conducting a similar study in other settings, such as the Kenyan private sector, to determine if the results are consistent.