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.
Author(s): Anindita Sarkar
Series: Global Challenges in Water Governance
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 191
City: Cham
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
