Assessment of the urban project concept in provision of water and sanitation services inlow income areas in Kenya Case Study of Slota Slums in Athi River and Kware Slums in Ongata Rongai

A high proportion of people in slums lack portable water and appropriate sewage system. The Urban Project Concept (UPC) project which is an approach used by Water Services Trust Fund (WSTF) to supply water and sanitation services to the urban low-income areas in Kenya has stepped in to ensure adequate and safe water and sanitation services. The study aimed at establishing the impacts of UPC projects to the urban poor. The methodology of the study includes, literature review, interviews of key informants, focus group discussions, household questionnaires and observation. The study was able to define the different low-income areas in Kenya, different interventions done in Kenya and specific impacts on water and sanitation in the study areas. These include preference of UPC intervention, in this case water kiosks and sewer system connection. Price has been made affordable for both water and sanitation services. Residents can now be able to pay Kshs.2 per a 20 litre jerican as mandated by Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) for Kiosk Water while distance has been reduced from walking for more than 1 Kilometer to less than 500 Meters. Time spent getting these services has been greatly reduced by more than a half from more than 1 hour to less than 30 minutes. The community also has been fully involved. General improvement of public health situation has also improved. Despite slums been illegal, the residents also have a right to basic amenity such as water and sanitation. Longer duration of implementation is recommended, while the facilities built should be able to meet demand and re gular monitoring of the facilities after implementation is over is recommended