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Universal (Non)service? Water Markets, Household Demand and the Poor in Urban Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Sumila Gulyani

    (Department of Urban Planning, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA, sumila.gulyani@columbia.edu)

  • Debabrata Talukdar

    (School of Management, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA, dtalukda@buffalo.edu)

  • R. Mukami Kariuki

    (Water and Energy Department, The World Bank, NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA, rkariuki@worldbank.org)

Abstract

Compared with the non-poor, just how inadequately are the urban poor served by the public utilities and private water providers? Based on a survey of 674 households, this paper examines current water use and unit costs in three Kenyan towns and also tests the willingness of the unconnected to pay for piped water or improved kiosk service. By examining the water use behaviour of poor and non-poor households, this study brings into question a long-standing notion in the literature-that only the poor are underserved, use little water and pay a lot for it. It also indicates that the standard prescription to 'price water and create water markets' is in itself insufficient to improve service delivery and that kiosks are not always a good solution for serving the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Sumila Gulyani & Debabrata Talukdar & R. Mukami Kariuki, 2005. "Universal (Non)service? Water Markets, Household Demand and the Poor in Urban Kenya," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(8), pages 1247-1274, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:42:y:2005:i:8:p:1247-1274
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980500150557
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Crane, Randall, 1994. "Water markets, market reform and the urban poor: Results from Jakarta, Indonesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 71-83, January.
    4. Chris Shugart, 1991. "An Exploratory Study of the Water Standpipe-Vendor System in Jakarta," Development Discussion Papers 1991-15, JDI Executive Programs.
    5. Briscoe, John, et al, 1990. "Toward Equitable and Sustainable Rural Water Supplies: A Contingent Valuation Study in Brazil," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 4(2), pages 115-134, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Talukdar, Debabrata, 2018. "Cost of being a slum dweller in Nairobi: Living under dismal conditions but still paying a housing rent premium," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 42-56.
    2. Sima, Laura C. & Kelner-Levine, Evan & Eckelman, Matthew J. & McCarty, Kathleen M. & Elimelech, Menachem, 2013. "Water flows, energy demand, and market analysis of the informal water sector in Kisumu, Kenya," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 137-144.
    3. Gazzeh, Karim & Abubakar, Ismaila Rimi, 2018. "Regional disparity in access to basic public services in Saudi Arabia: A sustainability challenge," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 70-80.

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