Water and Sanitation Practices and performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company in Bomet County, Kenya

Abstract

Water and sanitation provision practices are established with the intention to enhance performance, provision on clean water and enhanced sanitation services. However, globally, not all Water & Sanitation Companies are able to achieve their core mandate of provision of adequate clean water and sanitation services. All Water and Sanitation Companies adopt water and sanitation practices however the extent to which they affect performance of water and sanitation companies is has attracted divergent views while other scholar found a negative affect others found a positive effect and hence a dilemma exist as to what is the exact effect of water and sanitation practices on the performance of water and sanitation companies. At Bomet Water and Sanitation Company in Bomet County, very few studies exist that have been conducted on the subject matter and yet its performance is not optimal and the hence the reason as to why this study was conducted at the Water and Sanitation Company. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of water and sanitation practices on performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company in Bomet County, Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were to establish how resources influences performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company, to find out the extent to which stakeholder engagement effects performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company, to determine the effects of governance on the performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company and to examine the influence of information communication technology on the performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company. Theories adopted were; Resource Based View Theory, Stakeholder Theory, Stewardship Theory, Systems Theory and Balance scorecard Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted 170 respondents drawn from commercial, technical and administration department. The sample size was 34 staffs selected using stratified random sampling technique. A pilot study was conducted to test the effectiveness and reliability of the research tool. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Data was analyzed using quantitative approach which involved the use of descriptive statistics that entailed percentages, frequency, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistic adopted was regression analysis was used to establish existing relationships between water and sanitation provision practices and performance of Bomet Water and Sanitation Company. Results were as follows; resources had a positive and significant effect on performance of BOMWASCO of (β=-0.229, p < 0.05). Stakeholder engagement had a positive and significant effect on performance of BOMWASCO (β=0.231, p < 0.05). Governance had a positive and significant effect on performance of BOMWASCO (β=0.451, p < 0.05). ICT had a positive and significant effect on performance of BOMWASCO (β=0.343, p < 0.05).  The study concluded that resources, stakeholder engagement, governance and ICT have a positive and significant effect on performance of BOMWASCO. The study recommended that physical resources should used sufficiently and correctly to enhance equitable water supply all residents. The community should continue to be engaged in all water supply and solid waste collection practices in the County. BOMWASCO board structure should effectively represent diverse stakeholder interests. Current software solutions should continue being used in a manner that effectively meets organizational needs and requirements. The study recommends further studies should be conducted on Water and sanitation practices and performance of other water and sanitation companies in Kenya.