COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND IT’S INFLUENCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER PROJECTS IN MACHAKOS COUNTY OF KENYA

Objective: This study focused on the extent to which Community empowerment influence Implementation of water projects in Machakos County of Kenya. Accessibility to safe water has been a great challenge not only in Machakos County but to the developing world. The purpose of this study was to establish Community empowerment influence on Implementation of water projects in Machakos County of Kenya.   Theoretical Framework: The study was anchored on Pragmatic paradigm and used descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was Machakos County water representatives both staff and Community. Research sample comprised of, Water Resources Users Association officials, Water Resource Management Authority employees, County Ministry of Water and Irrigation staff, Water Services Trust Fund staff and Tana Athi Water Services Agency Staff, giving a total target population of 572 individuals.   Method: The sample size of the study was derived from the various strata’s by using Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination which gave a sample size of 226 participants. The research instruments used included: questionnaires; Key informant Interviews, Focus Group discussions, observation, documents review and Interview guides. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, composite mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data was analysed by content analysis.   Research Implications: This Study is significant to policy makers, students, water agency managers and primary stakeholders in the research region. It was concluded that Community empowerment significantly influence implementation of water projects in Machakos County in Kenya.