Determinants of sustainability for community based water projects: the case of Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani in coastal Kenya

Farida A Hassan,Melckzedeck K Osore,Hilda A Ong'Ayo

doi:10.4314/wiojms.v19i1.8

Farida A Hassan, Melckzedeck K Osore + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/wiojms.v19i1.8

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Abstract

Sustainability of development projects is considered essential for the continued delivery of services to beneficiary communities beyond external financing. However, various factors cause community projects to fail the sustainability test. This study investigated the determinants of sustainability for community-based water projects implemented through World Bank and Kenya Government financing known as Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani. Research was conducted using sustainability criteria comprising social, organizational, technical and financial aspects that were selected based on literature review and community perceptions. The research was conducted in Kenya’s coastal region using data collected from 285 respondents. Frequencies, means and percentages were used to describe data while the Structural Equation Modeling technique determined factors influencing sustainability. Results illustrated that all the four indicators assessed predict sustainability. However, only the technical and financial indicators influence sustainability significantly. In conclusion, while it is important to incorporate all the four indicators during planning and designing of community-based water projects, special attention must focus on financial and technical aspects. The study recommends that building the capacity of Community Based Organizations in terms of technical competence and financial resources to support operation and maintenance is a requirement, rather than a choice, for sustainability of community-based water projects.

Highlights

Sustainability of development projects occupies a significant proportion of contemporary discourse on development
The majority of the respondents (n = 211, 74%) were female, while 26% were male (Table 2). This indicates that unlike men, women are more likely to participate in community-based water projects (CBWPs), probably because they are the most affected when there is no water in the household as many house chores depend on the availability of water
The study results revealed that the quality of service and functionality of the CBWPs seemed to impact positively on this technical indicator of sustainability with β1 =1.000, β4 =

Summary

Introduction

Sustainability of development projects occupies a significant proportion of contemporary discourse on development. Of specific interest is the sustainability of donor-supported community projects that has captured the attention of researchers (Komives et al, 2008; Akinbile et al, 2006). The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED, 1987) views sustainable development as the ability to make development continuous by ensuring that it meets the needs of the present community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The International Fund for Agricultural Development Strategic Framework (IFAD, 2007) defines project sustainability as the ability to ensure that the institutions supported through projects and the benefits realized are maintained and continue after the end of the project’s external funding. Dale and Newman (2010) define sustainable development as a process that takes care of the ecological, social and economic imperatives of the local communities, while ensuring equitable access to resources under each facet of development.

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