Abstract
Improving access to water (and sanitation) services in Kenya (estimated at 59 and 32%, respectively), is one of the country's commitments. However, although efforts to address the situation through a rigorous water sector reform have shown some improvements, challenges still persist. One key challenge is inadequate capacity of sector institutions to deliver on their mandates. In particular, high Non-Revenue Water (NRW) levels (averaging 45%) negatively affect financial viability of water utilities. Key stakeholders are currently collaborating to improve NRW levels. Through capacity development support, underlying issues have been addressed and service delivery improved. The case of Nakuru Water, Sewerage and Sanitation Company (NAWASSCO), where local and international partners are implementing an innovative NRW model has resulted in commendable gains, is described. The NRW pilot adopted an action research approach to implement the International Water Association methodology of reducing NRW to the local situation through a pilot (NAKA). Emerging best practices will be up-scaled to other areas within and beyond Nakuru. Geographic information system (GIS) and management information system (MIS) tools were developed to facilitate decision-making. The pilot resulted in marked reduction in NRW levels and increased revenue. It demonstrates that capacity, when properly developed and locally owned, can result in commendable development gains.
Highlights
Improving access to safe and adequate water services is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The results showed that only two out of 14 production meters were within limits of accuracy, 10 were over-registering and two were under-registering; and out of the three territory meters two were over-registering while one was under-registering (Appendix 3; available online at http://www.iwaponline.com/wp/015/017.pdf)
It is clear from the foregoing sections that the greatest contributor to the success of NAWASSCO’s NAKA pilot is the capacity development that was done at all three levels outlined by the 5th Delft Consortium’s Background Paper (2013) in its conceptual framework for capacity development, namely: enabling environment; organizational; individual
Summary
Improving access to safe and adequate water (and sanitation) services is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In spite of a conscious effort by the government to put in place measures to address improvements in water and sanitation service delivery through implementation of a rigorous water sector reform, a lot still needs to be done to achieve the desired levels of access. One of the key challenges beyond infrastructure development and the related issues is inadequate capacity of water sector institutions to undertake their mandates effectively and efficiently. Most of the cities are growing rapidly and at rates that exceed Kenya’s natural population growth. The UN Population Division expects an urbanization rate of 42% for Kenya in 2015. Urban growth poses large challenges for local authorities and Water Services Providers (WSPs) to service the city population with appropriate water and sanitation services
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