African Select African Nation 1: Kenya and Essay

Total Length: 688 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 2

African

Select African

Nation 1: Kenya and water pollution

The population of Kenya is growing, and at present more than half of Kenya's population lacks access to safe drinking water. Initially, the Kenyan government resisted international calls to privatize its state-directed water supply. However, the Kenyan government has recently instated a shift in its aim to provide clean water and appropriate sanitation to all of its residents. Having realized that the Kenyan government "could not, on its own, deliver water to all Kenyans by 2000 [as planned] since it lacked the resources to directly finance or subsidize these services...the focus then shifted to 'handing over' -- a process of finding ways of involving others in the provision of water services in place of the government" (Lamba & Memon 2005).

At present in Kenya, the government licenses Water Services Providers (WSPs) which may be private firms, community groups, NGOs, or local governments. However, privatization has not proved to be the panacea neo-liberal critics of the government model suggested. Corruption is rampant in Kenya, and many citizens continue to be denied access to clean water and proper sanitation.

Stuck Writing Your "African Select African Nation 1: Kenya And" Essay?

Despite privatization, "any notion of a competitive market is absent from the concession and leasing contracts" and often licenses are bestowed because of favoritism and bribery, not because the provider has demonstrated a commitment to delivering water in a safe and efficient manner (Lamba & Memon 2005). Because of the poor quality of services "most households obtain water and dispose of waste without recourse to the utility networks," since sewers are often clogged and unreliable (Lamba & Memon 2005). Some success has been generated through small-scale local providers, in terms of 'cleaning up' current systems of delivery, but overall, it is likely that for true reform, political restructuring is needed, not simply privatization.

Nation 2: South Africa and Lesotho and water diversion

At present, Africa's largest water diversion project is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which "involves the construction of five large dams in Lesotho's Orange/Senqu River Basin to supply water to South Africa's industrial Gauteng Province"….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"African Select African Nation 1 Kenya And" (2011, November 04) Retrieved May 21, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/african-select-african-nation-1-kenya-52728

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"African Select African Nation 1 Kenya And" 04 November 2011. Web.21 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/african-select-african-nation-1-kenya-52728>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"African Select African Nation 1 Kenya And", 04 November 2011, Accessed.21 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/african-select-african-nation-1-kenya-52728