ROLE OF MEDIA COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION IN WATER ACCESS AND USE IN MBEERE SOUTH, KENYA EUNICE KARIMI MUGO T51/12545/2018 A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES. NOVEMBER, 2020 UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI Declaration of Originality Form Name of Student EUNICE KARIMI MUGO Registration Number T51/12545/2018 College HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Faculty/School/Institute INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES Course Name RESEARCH PROJECT Title of Work Role of Media Community Mobilization in Water Access and Use in Mbeere South, Kenya DECLARATION: 1. I understand what Plagiarism is and I am aware of the University’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this RESEARCH PROJECT PAPER is my original work and has not been submitted elsewhere for examination, the award of a degree or publication. 3. Where other people’s work or my own has been used, this has properly been acknowledged and referenced in accordance with the University of Nairobi’s requirements. 4. I have not sought or used the services of any professional agencies to produce this work. 5. I have not allowed, and shall not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his/her own work. I understand that any false claim in respect of this work shall result in disciplinary action in accordance with the University Plagiarism Policy. Signature: ________________________________ Date: ________________________________ ii DECLARATION I, Eunice Karimi Mugo, declare that this research project paper is my original work and has not been submitted to any academic institution other than the University of Nairobi for examination. Signature: ………………………………………. Date: ………………………. Eunice Karimi Mugo T51/12545/2018 This research project paper has been submitted with my approval as the University Supervisor. Signature: ………………………………………. Date: ……………………… Dr. George Michuki Institute for Development Studies University of Nairobi iii DEDICATION This project is dedicated to my late mother Gaudisia Kiura. Your memories live on. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I want to thank God for all His blessings, and the guidance He has shown me during my two years of studying this course. I also thank the University of Nairobi for granting me a scholarship opportunity, which allowed me to focus on my studies. I do not take the opportunity for granted. To my supervisor, Dr. George Michuki, thank you for your patience and guidance with this project. Your input to making this research project feasible is invaluable and highly appreciated. I also appreciate Institute for Development Studies course instructors and other staff, for your continued support. To my all classmates, especially Grace and Hellen, your support is highly appreciated. A heart-felt thank you also to everyone in Embu County and Mbeere South constituency who went out of their way to facilitate a smooth field study. To all respondents and organizers of focus group discussions, I say thank you for your hospitality and interest in my study. Thank you, all county government officials that guided me during the field study and facilitated my interviews with key informants. Lastly, special thanks to my dad Peter Mugo Itumu, sister Mary, entire family, and Dr. Makau Kitata, who have stood by me and encouraged me throughout this journey, may you be blessed. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration of Originality Form .................................................................................................. ii Declaration.................................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ x Acronyms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................................... xi Definition of Terms .................................................................................................................... xiii Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Objectives............................................................................................................................ 5 1.5 Justification ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the study ....................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 7 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 7 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 7 2.2. Water as a Rights Issue .......................................................................................................... 7 2.3. Water in a Devolved System in Kenya ............................................................................... 10 2.3.1 Tracing Water Management to Devolution ................................................................... 10 vi 2.3.2: Water in Embu County .................................................................................................... 13 2.4. Media, Water Access and Use ............................................................................................. 18 2.5 Theoretical Literature Review ............................................................................................. 25 2.6. Summary of Literature Review .......................................................................................... 29 2.7. Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 31 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 31 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 31 3.2 Study Site ............................................................................................................................... 31 3.3 Study Design .......................................................................................................................... 31 3.4 Target Population and Sampling ......................................................................................... 32 3.5 Data Sources and Collection ................................................................................................ 33 3.6 Ethical Considerations.......................................................................................................... 33 3.7 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 35 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................................ 35 4.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 35 4.2. Characteristics of Respondents .......................................................................................... 35 4.3 Water Sources Available to Residents ................................................................................. 37 4.4 Media Platforms Available to Stakeholders........................................................................ 44 4.5. Media and Stakeholders Engagement on Water Issues .................................................... 47 4.6 Effects of Media Engagement on Water Access and Use ..................................................