Abstract:
The study analyzed the challenges facing the community-based water supply organization
(CBWSOs) in rural water project management in RUWASA-Karatu. The study had three objectives
namely; to identify the hindrance facing the community-based water supply organisation (CBWSOs)
in rural water project management, to assess the current situation facing the community-based
water supply organisation (CBWSOs) in rural water projects management and to examine strategies
to solve the challenges facing the community-based water supply organisation, (CBWSOs) in rural
water project management. The study was guided by two theories namely resource-based theory
and public participation theory. Descriptive research design and quantitative research approach
were used in this study. Closed ended questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents.
The target population for this study was the employees of the rural water and sanitation Authority –
RUWASA and the community that participate in the community water supply organizations in Karatu
District. The sample size of the population was 45 in number, who were selected purposively.
Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze data. Findings revealed that
having CBWSOs in the water project management is a very important thing to the organization
which is RUWASA as they improved timely project maintenance and revenue collection hence it
makes improved cost effective in RWPM. The study recommended that RUWASA should
emphasize the use of CBWSOs in RWPM as a model of water project management as it is accurate
and increases the security of water project sustainability and it works very efficiently in increasing
the transparency in water project management.