Policy Briefs

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Browsing Policy Briefs by Author "Dulo, Simeon"

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    COVID-19 Impacts on Water Burden among Households in Turkana
    (University of Nairobi, 2021-01) Ong'ech, Denis; Olago, Daniel; Dulo, Simeon; Opondo, Maggie; Ouma, Gilbert; Mumma, Albert; Hope, Robert; Charles, Katrina
    Following confirmation of the first case of the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Kenya in March 2020, the Government issued an advisory in ensuring high standards of hygiene through regular handwashing using soap and water. A national protocol on COVID- 19 was launched, which among others, underscored handwashing and high levels of hygiene maintenance. These required an increased household water demand that caused elevated household water bills, leaving poor households vulnerable to water insecurity. The pandemic has severely modified the patterns and behaviour of the economy of water (Vammen and Guillen, 2020). Water service providers (WSPs) have also been adversely affected. The Lodwar Water and Sanitation Company (LOWASCO), for instance, finds it hard to effectively supply clean water due to decreased revenues from non-payment (LOWASCO official, pers. comm.). With the government's directive that WSPs should not disconnect water supply for 3 months (March-May 2020) including households in default, WSPs faced challenges in meeting some of their operational costs such as power bills and staff wages (Senkwe and Gakubia, 2020). The directive is far from adequate, largely temporary, and unsustainable (Senkwe and Gakubia, 2020).
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    Sanitation challenges, groundwater perspectives and their intertwined relationships in Kisumu, Kenya
    (University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Kanoti, Japhet; Olago, Daniel; Akech, Nobert; Nyamoi, Christopher; Dulo, Simeon; Ayah, Richard; Taylor, Richard
    This research under the AfriWatSan project assessed groundwater and sanitation challenges based on field surveys, sampling, analyses, and interviews, as well as reviews of the literature and historical borehole data in Kisumu, Kenya. Previous studies in the area have shown that the number of shallow wells, buildings, unimproved pit latrines and sanitary risks have increased tremendously between 1999 and 2019. This study confirmed that the main water and sanitation challenges in Kisumu are (1) inadequate, poor and deteriorating water quality, (2) poor waste disposal management systems, and (3) poor sanitation services. There is a need for the introduction of new and sustainable groundwater approaches supported by science and decision-making processes that involve all stakeholders. Current deficiencies in the provision of adequate water and dignified sanitation to the poor in Kisumu can be remedied through improved knowledge of shallow aquifer dynamics and innovative research. It was noted that apart from the donor agencies and multi-national NGOs, private investors are unwilling to invest in water projects in Kisumu due, in part, to government legislation that constrains the cost that may be levied on water.