Effectiveness of the maintenance practices of service providers on the functionality of rural water supply facilities in Turkana County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of post-eonstruction infrastructure maintenance practices of rural water service providers in Turkana County on the functionality of the facilities. Data on prevalent maintenance practises and attendant revenue mobilisation and management practises was collected from ten sampled sites within Turkana county through quantitative household questionnaires. Focused group discussions with the service providers and key informant interviews with county government officials and other water sector partners was also carried out to validate the quantitative data The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and instrumental variables regression analysis. The study findings showed endogeneity in the independent variables with the time taken to repair broken down water facilities emerging as the main predictor of functionality. The regression results indicate that a rural water system in Turkana is likely to be functional if it takes less time to repair compared to the base category of less than 24 hours. Affordability of water by the households emerged as another key factor that determines functionality since it influences sufficiency of revenues needed to respond to a break down. The results demonstrate a cyclic relationship in which affordability increases functionality as more households are able to and willing to contribute towards repair costs, hence making funds available for repairs and increasing prompt response to break downs. In tum, functionality increases household's willingness to pay since the system is well maintained thus available when needed.