Effect of Water Tariff on Sustainable Water Supply in Kakamega County

Abstract

Purpose: In Kakamega County, 43 per cent of the water produced is unaccounted for due to illegal connections and water wastage. Specifically, the study determined the effect of water tariff on sustainable water supply in Kakamega county. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used mixed research design comprising of correlation research design, longitudinal and descriptive research designs. Secondary data was applied for this study. The researcher analyzed data between 2013-2022. The study targeted 34,206 water connections in Kakamega County. Secondary data was used for this study which was collected from Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company, Water Services Regulatory Board, World Bank and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The study computed both descriptive thus mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics basically simple linear regression analysis, multiple regression analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. Findings: The study found that water tariffs had a significant positive effect on sustainable water supply (p<0.05). The study concluded that an increase in water tariff resulted to significant increase in sustainable water supply in Kakamega County. Implications/Originality/Value: The study recommends that water companies should improve the tariff base for sustainability