A National Water Integrity Scan was performed in Kenya by Transparency International Kenya as part of its Transparency and Integrity in Service Delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa (TISDA)” project. The scan comprises both a qualitative assessment of how sector and policy reforms have affected performance and a Transparency-Accountability-Participation risk-mapping of water service provision relationships. The analysis is based on a literature review, interviews with water sector stakeholders and case studies.
While acknowledging improvements in the water sector due to the reform process, especially in terms of transparency, the assessment points out two key issues: inequity in service provision, which pushes users to rely on informal water providers which are not regulated or controlled, and a lack of accountability throughout the sector. The assessment points out that: accountability is less developed because sanctions and anti-corruption measures are not applied and incentives to encourage good governance are not provided.
As a conclusion of the assessment, recommendations for all stakeholder groups and several policy recommendations are made. Some of these recommendations have been integrated and acted on. Concrete steps have been taken in Mombasa as follow-up to the study. The signature of the Mombasa Water Improvement Pact between service provider and user groups is one example.
More information on the follow-up of the assessment in Mombasa
TISDA Milestones, Before and After
Water Governance Award for Transparency, Accountability, Participation in Water Service Delivery
Lessons Learned
- By understanding and discussing the risk levels of TAP in each relationship, the risk map can contribute to stimulating dialogue about integrity and serve as a basis to identify options for improvement.
- It is important to realize that case study findings may not be representative of a whole country; however, they do provide good contextual and qualitative data that indicate the level of integrity, thereby offering insights into the risk of corruption.