Addressing Governance and Management Challenges in Small Water Supply Systems – The Integrity Management Approach in Kenya

Abstract

This paper analyses the governance and management challenges of community-managed rural water supplies in Kenya vis-à-vis the ongoing reform processes, and presents the integrity management (IM) toolbox for small water supply systems as a means to address them. The IM toolbox is a change management approach to help community groups address immediate internal challenges and link them with local water actors to establish management arrangements that are performance oriented, accountable and compliant with regulatory requirements to realize the right to water. The paper also discusses the responsibilities and needed contributions of rights’ holders and duty bearers in this process.