Community Engagement and Sustainability of Large Water Supply Projects in Kenya: A Case of Chebara Dam in Elgeyo Marakwet County

Abstract

Purpose: The general objective was to examine the association between community engagement and the sustainability of Chebara Dam supply projects in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Methodology: The investigation used mixed method research design.  The target population is 1340 members of the community, members of the water project committee, community leaders, technical staff and members of the government involved in water resource management were the target population. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure adequate representation of key stakeholder group and structured questionnaire was 308 was arrived at from the target population of 1,340 using Yamane formula. Furthermore, the data was collected from key informant using interview and was analyzed using thematic content analysis and NVIVO. Additionally, SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data and find out the relationships among the variables and the magnitude of the effects. Findings: The study concluded that community participation has positive and statistically significant link with sustainability of Chebara Dam water supply project. Information sharing has a positive and statistically significant association with sustainability of Chebara Dam water supply project. Capacity building has positive and statistically significant relationship with sustainability of Chebara Dam water supply project. Stakeholder collaboration has a positive and significant relationship with sustainability of Chebara Dam water supply project. Government policy had a positive and statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between community engagement and sustainability of Chebara Dam water supply project. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommended that the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet, water sector agencies, and project managers strengthen community participation throughout the entire project cycle to promote inclusive decision-making, establishing regular stakeholder consultation forums, strengthening community-based water management committees and providing continuous capacity-building on water resource management and infrastructure maintenance.