Water Insecurity and Water Governance in Urban Kenya: Policy and Practice

Description

This book explores water service provisions of the urban poor in the cities of Africa with particular emphasis on Kenya and its capital city of Nairobi. In particular the book addresses the insecurity of tenure, and how the colonial segregation of land continues to shape water access and service provision even today in Nairobi. The book seeks to understand how urban water management entails the “production of thirst” among the urban poor and documents how cultural norms, political commitments and seemingly mundane practices of water managers combine to exclude the poor from accessing water. Supporters of privatization argue that private companies may succeed where governments have failed in supplying water to the urban poor. The author takes a closer look at this argument, demonstrating the limitations of some of the current reforms whilst also exploring alternatives and solutions. This book will be an invaluable reference for students, researchers and practitioners working in this field. Acknowledgements Contents About the Author List of Figures List of Tables 1 Water Insecurity and Urban Water Governance: Understanding the Context Introduction Water Insecurity Water Insecurity: Concept and Definition Urban Water Insecurity Measuring Water Insecurity Urban Poor and Water Insecurity Water Governance Water Governance: Concept and Definition Water Governance to Address Water Insecurity The Changing Paradigm of Water Access Urban Water Governance Water as a Public Good Water as an Economic Good Water as an Economic Good and Environmental Good Water as a Common Good Water (Access) as a Human Right Water as a Common Responsibility Application of Concepts in the Study: Creation of New Waterscapes by Water Access and Use References 2 Water Services and Water Infrastructure in Urban Africa Changing Mode of Urban Water Governance in Africa Challenges of Urban Water Governance in Africa: Vicious Cycle of Poor Water Service Provisions and Low Investment in Water Infrastructure Expansion of Water Infrastructure and Funding Gap Changing Role of Water Governance in Africa: Relationship Between State and Water Infrastructure Water Supply to Urban Poor in Africa References 3 Evolution of Urban Water Supply in Kenya 1900–1963: Initiation of Modern Urban Water Network and Its Expansion Under Colonial Power 1963–1973: Abolition of Colonial Restriction and Increase in Demand for Water Services 1973–1979: Era of Big Plans to the Beginning of Debt Accumulation 1979–1990: Era of Basic Needs Approach to Total Insolvency of Water Sector 1990–1999: The Era of Privatization and Pay-For-Service Approach 1999–present: Towards Private-Sector Participation and Government’s Role as Facilitator Deterioration of Water Service Provision in Kenya: From “Past Glory” to “Present Shortages” References 4 Access to Affordable, Safe Water Supply in Urban Kenya: A Macro Analysis Access to Safe and Affordable Water in the World and Africa Access to Safe and Affordable Water Coverage in Different Parts of Africa Piped Water Supply in Urban Kenya and Nairobi Piped Water Supply to the Urban Poor Ways in Which Urban Poor Access Water from the Utility Network Standpipes Types of Standpipes Management Delegated to Community Organizations Standpipes in Urban Kenya Domestic Resale Domestic Resales in Urban Kenya Alternative Piped Water Connections References 5 Standpipes, Water Vendors, and Water ATMs: Who Wins and Who Loses? The Study Area: The Mathare Slums Methodology Sources of Water for Domestic Use in Mathare Sources of Domestic Water Supply in Mathare Accessing One to Many Water Sources: Its Location and Ownership Water Access from Standpipes, Water Vendors, and Water ATMs Time of Water Supply from Standpipes, Water ATMs, and Water Vendors Comparative Water Tariffs: Causes and Its Implications Conflicts and Challenges of Fetching Water Levels of Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay for Water Comparative Advantages and Disadvantages of the Water Sources References 6 Coping Strategies and Adaptive Responses to Water Insecurity Coping Strategies and Adaptive Responses at the Community Level Coping Strategies and Adaptive Responses at the Household Level Coping Strategies and Adaptive Responses at the Individual Level Coping Strategies and Adaptive Responses: Institutions and Individuals References 7 Conclusion: The Way Forward Water as a Constitutional Right in Kenya Water Tariffs and Cost Recovery Access to Water in Low-Income Areas in Kenya: Some Ground Realities Contemporary Initiatives to Provide Access to Water in LIAs of Nairobi Way Forward Relevance of the Research and Scope for Further Research References References Index