a case study of Kashari sub-county

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Development Policy,2016Sustainability of projects is something international organizations, governments, nongovernment organizations, donor agencies and communities have over time desired as a means to guarantee that positive gains are distributed to end users for a long period of time. The phenomenon of community participation and sustainability is brought to attention by this study through focusing on water sources projects which are implemented to improve the quality of water supply and life of communities. There are two hundred and fifty one water sources that are non-functional and abandoned which have greatly affected water coverage in Kashare Subcountry, even though huge investments that have been injected in the water sector together with different measures implemented to promote their sustainability. This problems has also raised concerns among donors and Government as to why they are non-functional and abandoned water sources despite various initiatives to promote their sustainability. This study sought to establish the relationship between community participation in planning, implementation and maintenance and sustainability of water sources and find out how each of these variables influences sustainability of water sources. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted by this study, the sample size was fifty five respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview structure then analyzed through descriptive statistics where frequency and percentage tables were used to represent the field findings. The study also used STATA to edit, code and analyze primary data collected. The study applied multiple regression analysis model to determine the relative significance of planning, implementation and maintenance with respect to sustainability of water sources. The findings of the study revealed that community participation in planning, implementation and maintenance do influences sustainability of water sources in Kashare Sub-county. The regression results revealed of the three factors of the study, maintenance influenced sustainability to a larger extent than planning and implementation, although all three factors when regressed independently, they were all highly significant with a P value less than zero point zero one which is statistically significant at the level of one percent The findings of the study further revealed that all three factors had a strong positive direction with sustainability. The study also found out that some of the grievances of the communities members were, inactive participation by the community in determining the project duration under planning process; most of the water user committees were not active and community members have not been adequately trained on how to repair and manage water sources in case they broke down and lack of transparency and accountability in collection and spending of water user fees, these affected sustainability of water sources. Although the study concluded that, there’s a significant positive relationship between community participation and sustainability of water sources, the assumption that maintenance influenced sustainability more is accepted basing on the regression results on all three factors together. The policy implication, communities should be empowered with technical skills and knowledge on how to manage and maintain water sources. This can be done through community based training programs. Project implementers should respect and take the views and opinions of community members, this builds community ownership and mutual close working relationships.masterpublishedMicheal MUGISHA