INFLUENCE OF PREPAID SMART WATER METERING ON PERFORMANCE OF COMMUNITY WATER PROJECTS IN MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA
INFLUENCE OF PREPAID SMART WATER METERING ON PERFORMANCE OF COMMUNITY WATER PROJECTS IN MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA
Guyo Guracha Molu - University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Stephen Luketero - University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Water in Marsabit County is a gem that is treasured. Despite billions of shillings invested in the water sector, access to safe water does only improve slowly. Over the past several years, the Department of Water, Environment and Natural Resources of the County Government of Marsabit, through Private- Public Partnership (PPP) collaboration, has invested into improving water sector service delivery through the use of scalable and replicable business models which entail the use of prepaid meters popularly known as Water ATMs and the use of sensors for monitoring different variable at communal water points. This study therefore sought to investigate the influence of prepaid smart water metering on performance of water projects in Marsabit County, Kenya. The study looked into the influence of meter reliability, meter efficiency, billing accuracy and meter flexibility on performance of water projects in Marsabit County. The theories used include the expectancy disconfirmation theory, the value-percept disparity theory and cognitive dissonance theory. A descriptive research design was used. The research targeted the project managers and the Marsabit County Water Department staff members. A sample size of 215 respondents were obtained through stratified sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics like percentages, means, standard deviations and frequencies. The qualitative data collected from the open-ended questions was analysed using content analysis. Inferential data analysis was done using multiple regression analysis. The relationships between the independent and dependent variables were established using multiple regression analysis. The information was displayed by use of tables. The study found that there was an improvement in access to water for the residents in both formal and informal settlements as prepaid smart water meter is equitably distributed. The study also found that accurate measurements were taken and recorded correctly. However, the study found that loading the credit via M-pesa was instantly updated in the meter. The research also found that more water is now consumed. The research concluded that meter efficiency had the greatest influence on the performance of water projects in Marsabit County, Kenya, followed by meter reliability, then billing accuracy while meter flexibility had the least influence to the performance of water projects in Marsabit County, Kenya. This study recommends that national and county governments increase investment in prepaid smart water metering infrastructure and establish clear regulatory frameworks to ensure equitable access and protect consumers. Water service providers should improve public awareness through education campaigns and expand vending infrastructure and technical support to enhance user experience and trust. Future research should adopt longitudinal and qualitative approaches to better understand the long-term impacts and consumer experiences associated with prepaid metering systems.
