PROMOTING INTEGRITY TO IMPROVE WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES AND ENSURE SECTOR IS RESPONSIVE TO CITIZENS
Dates2011-Current PartnersCESPAD, Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET), Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO), Neighbours Initiative Alliance (NIA), Water Sector Trust Fund, Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) Programme focus
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HOW THINGS ARE CHANGING
Recognised community groups are professionalising their service and management in rural areas; utilities are taking action on integrity risk
WIN and partners work closely with the national water regulator to define clearer management models for rural water supply and capacitate local community water committees. WASREB has also adopted mechanisms and indicators in its oversight of service providers to promote integrity.
Over 87 communities and local groups have applied the Integrity Management Toolbox for Small Water Supply Systems (IMT-SWSS), crafting action plans that improve governance, transparency, customer relations, and compliance.
In Kericho County, for example, this approach significantly raised consumer satisfaction with Water Committee services. Community confidence that fees are used appropriately has increased, along with a better understanding of service costs, has resulted in a greater willingness to pay.Â
In Makueni county, at least four groups used the IMT-SWSS in 2023, with support from NIA and EKWIP partners. Before this work and new training, the Committees were informal groups with no legal standing. They were not budgeting to guide their operations. They are now changing this, taking steps to register as Water Resource User Associations (WRUA), engaging with and getting support from county government, and developing budgets. As a result of better management, one community group received new funding to facilitate a pipeline extension. Another group managed to repair their solar panels and thereby save on the cost of electricity, enabling them pay off a debt of 767,000 KES they owed to Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
Larger urban utilities, like HOMWASCO and KIWASCO, are also taking action by using InWASH to assess integrity risks that could compromise their operations and sustainable service delivery.
Youth and integrity champions are organising and getting results in prioritisation of water issues
Kenyan youth, through youth parliaments supported by the programme, are organising and want to act on their conviction that WASH funds are not 'well utilised'. In the campaign period before general elections in 2022, youth parliaments engaged prospective candidates and obtained water-focused election promises from them based on the candidate manifestos. This formed the basis of the development of an Election Promises Monitoring tool (EPM) by the youth parliaments of Kisii, Kisumu, Kakamega and Busia and a national monitoring tool by the national youth parliament chapter. These tools are now being used to hold elected politicians accountable.
The active role of youth was made possible by several years of engagement and training after initial set up of county then national-level youth parliaments for water. Partners have reported that, with election monitoring and current work, youth are now vocal change agents, influencing action, policy and budgets at county level. In some counties, like Nyamira for example, the youth parliaments have influenced leaders in prioritisation of resources for water resource management and spring protection.
Ground-breaking research and awareness raising
KEWASNET and ANEW put the issue of sexual corruption in water and sanitation on the global agenda. Their research in Nairobi was the first of its kind to show sexual corruption for water, or sextortion, is not uncommon and massively underreported and ignored. In 2024, their petition to 'Stop Sex for Water' was read in Parliament and as a result of their extensive campaign, new legislation against the practice is being examined, the impact of which will resonate far beyond the water sector.
In a first study of its kind in Kenya, endorsed by both the Kenya Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the Council of Governors, the Pipes, Policy, and Public Money report highlights how strengthening integrity in public financial management can increase efficiencty and accountability towards citizens, while reducing costly money 'leaks'. It looks at root problems and why budget tracking is so complex, in terms of IT systems, reporting, and responsibilities.
Major radio campaigns in Nakuru, Makueni and Kajiado focused on integrity with input from integrity champions and partner research (inluding on specific initiatives like the risk assessment of the Mwache dam development in Kwale or the results of integrity surveys in Kajiado). With the evidence, they were able to promote water and sanitation as human rights, and answer caller questions. The radio shows also helped clarify roles and responsibilities and explain avenues for participation and complaint mechanisms. They have had a major influence on public debate.
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MORE PUBLICATIONS
Research
On service delivery in informal settlements
On public financial management
Integrity management and community work
On working in small communities with the IMT-SWSS
On working with Water Resource User Associations
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