Work

Exploring Kenya’s Small-Scale Water Services for a More Sustainable Future

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Kenya faces significant challenges in providing safe drinking water, especially in low-income and peri-urban areas. This article assesses institutional and organizational frameworks constraints to the performance of communally-owned small-scale water service producers (SSSPs), which significantly contribute to safe drinking water access in underserved and unserved areas. The study employs a PESTEL analysis based on in-depth interviews to identify external factors affecting SSSPs. The findings reveal several key factors: political goodwill and interference, funding issues, operating costs, ownership, knowledge, technology and data management, freshwater availability, increasing water demand, and pollution, as well as legal and regulatory frameworks for SSSPs. These findings provide key institutional and organizational insights for advancing sustainable water management.

Source: Public Works Management & Policy

DOI: 10.1177/1087724x261447370

Authors: Japheth K. Koros, Petri S. Juuti, Riikka P. Juuti, Shilpa Muliyil Asokan

Institutions: Tampere University, Nordic Africa Institute

Language: English

Topic: Water Resource Management and Quality

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650