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       1.Follow this link -   42,000 People Face Water Problem in Maralal Samburu Central

1.1.The Water Sector in Kenya

Kenya’s National Water Policy targets 100% access to clean water for the country’s

population by the year 2010. Current access levels are estimated at 61 % (World Bank

Development Indicators, 2006), making the achievement of this development goal a

significant challenge for the government which is also in tandem with the Millennium

Development Goals. The Country’s access to clean water and to improved sanitation

services is low compared to similar countries in Africa and other developing countries.

The situation has been aggravated by the population that has grown far beyond the

capacity of the infrastructure that has deteriorated through lack of investment. Kenya’s

population has increased fivefold from 6 million at independence to more than 35 million

in 2008. Further, the migration trends have led to a significant concentration of this

population in urban centers, many in unplanned informal settlements

Water is not only the most important factor for production but together with sanitation

(which includes disposal of effluent and excreta) is the most important factor for human

health. It is estimated that 80% of all diseases are water related, resulting in a huge bill

for health care which could be drastically reduced with improved water services. The

negative impact of insufficient water services on education and on productivity of the

population is equally huge. Thus, water is a key determining aspect for economic growth

in a country and for the wellbeing of its population.

Kenya with a population of 35 million faces enormous challenges in providing

sustainable access to safe water, sewerage systems and basic sanitation for its fast

growing population. The pace of urbanisation is increasing at a drastic pace and leads to

an increasing number of densely populated settlements of the urban poor. More than half

of the urban population live in such settlements where population growth reaches 10%

per annum and more. The high density makes living conditions especially deplorable due

to the sanitary conditions, creating a special condition of poverty. Sustainable access to

safe water is estimated at around 60% in urban and 40% in rural settings.

Access to safe water and sanitation is a universal need and a basic human right. An

insufficient access to water is not only bad for health, but also contributes to a poor food

security and a lagging social development. Many rural households have to spend hours

per day fetching water from unsecured sources where water quality is suspect. The

burden is borne by women and children for whom there is no time to attend school

regularly because of the obligation to secure water for the household. Safe water sources

in the rural setting are often not adequately managed by the users, wasting investment by

shortening the lifespan of the infrastructure.

The main reasons for the insufficiency are old infrastructure, inadequate management and

maintenance of existing infrastructure, inadequate sustainability measures, not enough

investment concentrating on the options of fast tracking access and informal service

provision operating outside a framework of basic standards and regulation.

The National Water Master Plan Aftercare Study (1998) reports that there are close to

1800 water supply systems under the management of various providers. In addition, there

are other privately owned boreholes, springs and other surface water schemes that are

also part of service provision. Sewage systems cover only 14% of the population living in

215 urban areas. In these towns most of the water supply and sewerage collection,

treatment and disposal systems have been deteriorating rapidly, and fail to meet the water

demands (both quantity and quality) of the ever increasing population.

The dilapidated infrastructure results in extremely high levels of unaccounted for water

(UFW) reaching 60% on average. Losses also include theft of water, “informal”

unauthorised and unpaid for connections as well as other mechanisms for obtaining water

without paying for it. The un-metered systems create distortions in consumer charges and

loss of revenue. Regular meter reading and billing based on actual consumption is still

not practiced.

The patterns of land use have also drastically changed from pastoral to arable farming,

leading to destruction of vital water catchments areas. In light of this, it became

imperative that the Water sector had to undergo reforms. The Government of Kenya

(GoK) has undertaken wide ranging reforms of the water sector which have been guided

by the national policy on Water Resources Management and Development (sessional

paper no 1 of 1999). The policy paper culminated with the enactment of Water Act 2002.

The Act aims at providing a harmonised and streamlined management of water resources,

water supply and sewerage services.

The Water Act 2002 was enacted to reform the water sector in Kenya. It seeks to reorganize the management of water resources in the Country for sustainable utilization. It envisages reduced role of Government in water provision and separation of roles in water resources management and service provision.

1.2. Institutional Framework

The Water Act sets up Institutions at three Policy and Regulatory levels:

National Level

The following institutions are involved in policy formulation, regulation, dispute

resolution and funding at a national level.

• The Ministry of Water and Irrigation is responsible for policy formulation through the Water Sectors Reform Steering Committee (WSRSC) and the Water Sector Reform Secretariat (WSRS).

• The Water Appeals Board (WAB) is responsible for dispute resolution.
• The Water Services Trust Fund (WSTF) will assist in financing the provision of water services to areas without capacity to develop adequate water services.

• The Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) is responsible for management and regulation of water resources such as catchment areas, riparian way leaves, effluent disposal into rivers, etc. WRMA also issues licenses for water abstraction from any source and licenses to dispose treated effluent into the rivers.

• The Water Services Regulatory Board (WSRB) is responsible for regulation of Water and Sewerage services including maintenance of quality, standards and issuance of licenses for service provision.

Regional Leve1

The following institutions are vested with regulatory affairs at the Regional level:

• The Catchment Areas Advisory Committees (CAACs) advice on the utilization in catchment areas. CAACs report to WRMA.

• The Water Services Boards (WSBs) have the legal responsibility for the provision of Water and Sewerage services within their jurisdiction under license from the WSRB. Currently, there are eight and the Northern Water Services Board (NWSB), under which the Company falls, is one of them.

Local Level

The following institutions are involved in service provision to the consumers/customers

of such services at the local level.

• The Water Resources User Associations (WRUAs) are responsible for water resources management at a local level. WRUAs report to CAACs.

• The Water Services Providers (WSPs) are responsible for the provision of water and sewerage/sanitation service at the local level under appropriate agreements entered into with WSBs. Within Maralal and environs, the MAWASCO has been appointed by NWSB to provide water and sewerage services to its residents under an agreed framework that ensures adequate and quality supply of water, affordable tariffs, maintenance and improvement of water and sewerage infrastructure.

• The consumers and users of water and sewerage services are the ultimate customers.The institutional framework set out in the Water Act 2002 aims at ensuring that policy

• formulation, regulation, ownership of assets and service delivery roles are clearly delineated with each role being carried out by separate entities as enumerated in the below table:
• The Water Service Boards have been established to cover the whole country on the basis of the national drainage basins. Their mandate is to ensure efficient and economical provision of water and sewerage services in their areas of jurisdiction

They are however required to do this indirectly through Water Service Providers (WSPs). The Boards’ operations are guided by the National Water Services Strategy and regulated by the Water Services Regulatory Board

Below is a schematic representation of the institutional framework for the water sector under the Water Act 2002

The Water Service Boards have been established to cover the whole country on the basis of the national drainage basins. Their mandate is to ensure efficient and economical provision of water and sewerage services in their areas of jurisdiction.They are however required to do this indirectly through Water Service Providers (WSPs). The Boards’ operations are guided by the National Water Services Strategy and regulated by the Water Services Regulatory Board

Below is a schematic representation of the institutiona framework for the water sector under the Water Act 2002

1.3.Roles and Responsibilities under the NWSS in the Sub-Sector

The roles and responsibilities of these institutions are:

1.0 PERFORMANCE OF MAWASCO

Various parameters were used to assess the Performance of the Company.

The details are as below:-

1.1. Total Registered Connections

As at March, 2007, there were 780 connections which were growing at an average of

about 0.39% per month. Of this connection, only 580 are metered and the rest are

billed on flat rate.

1.2. Metering Ratio

The metering ratio is estimated at 74.36%.

1.3. Water Production

An average of 663m3/day (19,886m3 per month) is produced against an estimated

water demand of 4,595m3/day.

1.4. Unaccounted for Water (UFW)

The UFW is estimated at 29% since of 663m3/day of water produced, 368m3/day

reaches the consumer and is billed for revenue.

1.5. Revenue Collection Efficiency

An average of Kshs 214,054 is collected per month as revenue. The Revenue

collection efficiency is estimated at 77% since of an average Kshs 286,881 billed only

Kshs 214,054 is actually collected.

1.6. Cost of Production

The unit cost of producing water is estimated at Kshs 37.75.

1.7. Sustainability

The water production and supply is unsustainable since the cost of producing 1m3 of

water is Kshs 37.75 against an average revenue of Kshs 20. In view of the foregoing,

the tariff requires to be adjusted by about 89% upwards to make the supply

sustainable.

1.8. Constraints and Challenges

·        The Water Supply is not sustainable

·        There is no alternative source of water

·        Most facilities have surpassed there lifespan

·        The company is thinly staffed since 75% of the required staff are unavailable

·        The water catchments have been degraded. This has increased the silt load

into the dam

·        The dam is silted by almost 50%

·        The change in climate has affected the rainfall pattern which has in turn

affected water levels since the dam depends on rainfall for replenishment

·        The screens in the intake tower are not working

·        There is a big threat to the main source of Maralal water supply since the dam

faces encroachment and pollution from Nomotio village

·        The water supply is not enough and the coverage is estimated at only about

14.4%.

2.0 DEMAND ANALYSIS

The current total water demand is estimated at 4,546m3/day. This is set to increase to

4841, 9227 and 17,059m3/day by the years 2008, 2018 and 2028 respectively.

Table 7.1 below details the demand according to user category:-

Current State Analysis

Maralal water supply is within Maralal township of Samburu District. At present the

supply has its source in Nontoto earth dam whose design capacity is 230,000m3 and a

catchments area of 62 km2. The Dam was constructed in 1984 by DCU and was

completed in 1986 and the design population was 5000 people.

Maralal town and its environs have been experiencing erratic water supply due to

inadequate investment, resources and an old production, transmission and reticulation

system. The existing water supply does not serve the whole of MAWASCO service area

as per the SPA with the licensee as it caters for only three sub-locations namely: -

Maralal town, Shabaa and Milimani which constitute the supply limit. Implementation of

Maralal water supply phase II as proposed in the Samburu District Development Plan

1997-2001 is long over due.

The average monthly water production is 26,537m³ against average monthly demand of

63,840m3 meeting only 42% of the demand. Maralal water supply is clustered among

Loikas, Shabaa, Ledero, Lepartuk and Nkeju Emuny boreholes.

Type of Use 2007 2008 2018 2028

Domestic 3,949 4,205 7,894 14,818

ECD 101 107 202 378

Primary 205 219 411 771

Secondary 0 0 0 0

Health 85 91 309 319

Commercial 206 219 411 772

Total 4,546 4,841 9,227 17,059

Table 7.1:- Summary of Total Water Demand Projection in m3/day

The source of this water supply is an earth dam whose design capacity is 230,000m3 and

which was lastly desilted in the year 2000. The reservoir is prone to siltation from its

catchment which has been encroached upon severely thus not serving to its full potential.

There are two (2) surface pumps through a 1.1km, 8” raising main pump water to Maralal

water supply treatment works. Currently the treatment works system is able to process

850m3/day. The filtrations units filter media is old and ineffective chemical stirrers, dozer

and pumps are also functioning ineffectively.

A total of 10km long distribution network comprising of PVC and GI pipes conveys

water from the treatment works to the consumer points. 1.3Km 200mm PVC draws the

clear water from the reservoir tank at the treatment works and reduces to a 0.8Km and a

8Km 150mm and 100mm PVC class E respectively. The network has been installed in

the supply area in 1986. The main distribution lines and appurtenances working

conditions have deteriorated considerably causing frequent pipe bursts.

There are 5 storage tanks located in Maralal water supply treatment works compound.

• 1 No. balancing tank of 850m3
• 2 No. underground masonry tank of 90m3 each
• 1 No. underground masonry tank of 45m3
• 1 No. P.S.E tank of 85m3

Pressure building tanks along the distribution lines are either in poor condition or nonexistent.

The raising main of PVC 150mm class E runs from main pumping station at

Nontoto Dam (source) to Maralal water supply treatment works and the Dam intake were

constructed in 1986 and has since out lived its lifespan and thus prone to recurrent pipe

bursts.

Average monthly un-accounted for water is 40-50% against the allowable range of 20-

30%. This is due to lack of bulk, zonal and consumers meters and rampant leakages and

pipe bursts.

Due to the past disturbances brought about by tribal clashes within the area, it is difficult

to determine the population within the company jurisdiction area with certainty. Based

on the 1999 census however, projected population estimate for initial, future and ultimate

stages were determined by applying the compound growth rate formula and using an

average growth rate of 5.2%.

The figures presented below are projected on a 10 years and 20 years basis for future and

ultimate water demand requirements.

Water demand computation in m3/day is based on projected population data. Basic

consumption rates stipulated in the ministry of water and irrigation design Maralal 2005

have been applied.

1.0 COMPANY DESCRIPTION

1.1. Geo –Economic Description

MAWASCO is located in Maralal town. Maralal town is the administrative and

Commercial Centre of the Samburu District. It has retail shops, butcheries, posho

mills, low/medium high class hotels, a district hospital, administrative offices and

divisional police headquarter and station, a commercial bank, a post office and

several education institutions. The town has greater potential for further development

considering its commercial and trading opportunities and its location as the other

nearest town is Nyahururu which is located about 160km away.

Maralal Town forms Maralal Location and consists of seven sub locations with an

area of about 187km2. The sublocations include: Lpartuk; Lkuroto; Ledero; Ngari;

Maralal Town; Shabaa and; Milimani.

The mean annual rainfall is estimated at 540mm which follows a fairly erratic pattern

varying significantly both in time and space. Both short and long rains exist. The

driest months are January and February. The long rainy season fall in the months of

March, April and May. Short rains occur during the month of July and August

sometimes extending into September. The maximum temperature is 33.40c which

occurs in the month of March while the minimum temperature is 17.40c which occurs

in January and December.

Samburu District is an ASAL area whose soil development has been greatly,

influenced by the rock type, climate and topography. The soils are in most areas

generally low in organic matter due to low density of plant life and fast microbial

activities. They have low fertility and are inherently shallow permitting only a

limited capacity for water.

The topography is a rolling terrain. The town is surrounded by Forests which are

increasingly facing depletion due to overexploitation and overgrazing leaving the

ground bear and exposed to rainfall runoff and wind erosion .

About 2% of the town’s population comprises civil servants, 9% business and the

remaining 89% either depend on wages or livestock and livestock products. The

poverty Index is estimated at about 50%. About 91% of the population earns about

Kshs 9,000 per month and the remaining 9% earn an average of Kshs. 20,000. The

amount of income determines the ability to pay for water and sanitation services.

About 3% of the household income is used to pay for water services, and about 91%

of the population can afford to pay a minimum of kshs270 per month. Despite the low

average incomes, the willingness to pay for water services is rated as high considering

that there is no alternative source in the district.

1.2. Core Business and Service Offering

MAWASCO carries on the business the business of provision of affordable good

quality water and Sanitation Services in Maralal town and its environs. It provides

and distributes sustainable supply of potable water for commercial, industrial and

domestic purposes. It is also charged with provision, control and maintenance of

sewerage services for commercial, industrial and domestic concerns. It is in charge of

treatment and disposal of sewage generated within the service Area.

MAWASCO obtains its water from Nundoto Dam and a borehole. The Water Supply

serves only three sub-locations in Maralal Location instead of the whole location.

They are Maralal town, Shabaa and Milimani. Due to the rapid increase in population

of Maralal town over the years, the existing water supply is inadequate in meeting the

town’s water supply hence there is need to develop a way forward through prudent

strategic planning.

The water coverage in Maralal is estimated at about 14.4% since the average water

produced is 663m3/day against a water demand of about 4,595m3/day and is

concentrated in 6km2 against the town area of about 150km2. This situation is

expected to worsen with time if no immediate action is taken. Maralal Town has no

sewerage system. The mode of sewage disposal is by onsite sanitation in form of pit

latrines.

Existing Water Supply

The source of Maralal Water Supply is Nundoto Dam with a design capacity of 230,

000m3. Its catchment’s area is 62km2. The construction of this Dam started in 1984

and was completed in 1986. The population of Maralal town in 1986 was 5000 people

and currently (2008) is slightly over 39,000 people. The average daily water

production is 663m3 against a demand of 4,595m3.

Currently, there are a total of 780 consumer connections depending on this water

supply.

1.3. Ownership and Management

Maralal Water and Sanitation Company (MAWASCO) is a recently established

Water Services Provider registered as a limited company and responsible for the

provision of water and sanitation services within Maralal urban town. The company is

registered under the Companies Act chapter 486 of the laws of Kenya (Registration

certificate No. C125692. A Service Provision Agreement (SPA) has been signed with

the licensee (Northern Water Services Board). In order to run Maralal water supply

effectively, a code of ethics for Boards of Directors was developed in compliance

with the requirements of the Companies Act and Water Services Regulatory Board

co-operate governance guidelines for water services sector.

The Company is fully owned by the County Council and was formed by Maralal

Town Council on 21st July, 2006 as a propagation of the water sector reforms as

stipulated in the water Act 2002. The main objective was to provide sufficient, good

quality, and affordable water and sanitation services within Maralal Township. It

clusters Maralal Water Supply, Shabaa, Ledero, Lpartuk and Nkejuemuny boreholes.

MANAGING DIRECTOR MONTHLY EDITORIAL

 Paul Lolming'ani

 MD Maralal Water and Sanitation Company