Role of Public Private Partnerships in Sustainable Water Quality and Food Security along the Lake Region, Western Kenya

Abstract

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become increasingly important in ensuring sustainable water supply and sanitation across the world. It is a collaboration between a government entity and private sector organizations, where each party brings its respective strengths, resources, and capabilities to a common goal or project. In Western Kenya, the importance of sustainable water supply and sanitation and food security cannot be overstated. Access to clean water and safe sanitation is a basic human right and a prerequisite for a healthy, productive life. However, over the years, the lake has been plagued by various environmental problems, including pollution, overfishing, and the spread of invasive species. These problems have led to a decline in water quality, the depletion of fish stocks, and increased food insecurity in the region. The study proposed PPPs as an avenue to sustainable water quality and food security. The research was anchored on triple bottom line theory, the theory of shared value creation and the theory of circular economy. To conduct the survey, a correlational research design was employed. The results showed that PPPs adoption positively and significantly contribute to sustainable water quality and food security in the lake region. It is recommended that effluent mitigation policies and regulations should establish the need for industrial wastewaters to be treated before discharge into the lake.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become increasingly important in ensuring sustainable water supply and sanitation across the world. It is a collaboration between a government entity and private sector organizations, where each party brings its respective strengths, resources, and capabilities to a common goal or project. In Western Kenya, the importance of sustainable water supply and sanitation and food security cannot be overstated. Access to clean water and safe sanitation is a basic human right and a prerequisite for a healthy, productive life. However, over the years, the lake has been plagued by various environmental problems, including pollution, overfishing, and the spread of invasive species. These problems have led to a decline in water quality, the depletion of fish stocks, and increased food insecurity in the region. The study proposed PPPs as an avenue to sustainable water quality and food security. The research was anchored on triple bottom line theory, the theory of shared value creation and the theory of circular economy. To conduct the survey, a correlational research design was employed. The results showed that PPPs adoption positively and significantly contribute to sustainable water quality and food security in the lake region. It is recommended that effluent mitigation policies and regulations should establish the need for industrial wastewaters to be treated before discharge into the lake.