Abstract:
The Kenya Water Act of 2002 emphasizes on the formation of Water Users Association (WUAS) for better management of water resources through integrated water management. According to the Act the water abstractors are supposed to benefit from fair and equitable water distribution. This study primary objective was to determine whether introduction of the Water User Association in Timau Division has led to improvement in the management of the closed water distribution system used. The study utilized a social-ecological survey to collect data in the Division. where a one-time cross-sectional survey was conducted among 67 Timau WUA projects to collect quantitative and qualitative data to test and answer to the study objectives. Both descriptive and analytical procedures were used in data analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences computer software version l7. The findings showed that Timau WUA was very effective in the provision of adequate water for domestic use while very ineffective in the provision of adequate irrigation water. Water supplied was also not treated before distribution. Water is not distributed equally to all the members and the situation worsens during the dry seasons. Members of the Association showed very high levels of commitment especially in attending committee meetings (83%), raising of funds towards the WUA (92.1%), volunteering offtime, labor and resources (88.2%) and 93% of the members were very committed in matters pertaining to defending and campaigning for their WUA. Decision making was found to be influenced by factors such as: awareness of the Water Act (P = 0.002, t= -3.129), length of membership (P = 0.004, t=2.797), education level (P = 0.000, t = 4.125) and respondents age (P = 0.007, t = 2.710). Water conflicts were found to be influenced by social relationships of the members, political and administrative factors and conflicts arising from the technical/engineering work done on the closed system. Based on the findings there is need to improve on extension services aimed at educating farmers on appropriate and sustainable water management practices. This will form a foundation for well informed water management committees and members on various issues involved in integrated water management in the Division'and elsewhere.
