Influence of Innovation Leakages on Performance of Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company in Nairobi County, Kenya

Authors

  • Oscar Andrew Waweru Kenyatta University
  • Dr. Janesther Karuga Kenyatta University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5360

Abstract

The NCWSC was highly committed to ensuring effective water management. The company had achieved 80% of its strategic plan. However, it faced significant challenges between the years 2014/15 and 2018/19. In 2014/15, NCWSC produced 201.8 million cubic meters of water, while the amount sold was 124.7 million cubic meters. By 2018/19, both production and sales had declined to 180.1 million cubic meters and 114.5 million cubic meters, respectively. Additionally, Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses due to physical leaks or inefficiencies stood at 36.4% in 2018/19, exceeding the sector's recommended maximum of 25%. Thus, the study examined the influence of innovation leakages on performance of Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company in Nairobi County Kenya. An extensive theoretical framework was developed to provide a solid theoretical foundation for the study, based on resource-based view theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design, focusing on 94 participants within NCWSC's Nairobi operations. Data was collected using questionnaires. The variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regressions. The results were presented in tabular format. The response rate was 93.6%, with 88 out of 94 questionnaires completed. The study found that innovation in water leak detection significantly influences Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company's performance, with regression analysis revealing a strong positive correlation between leak detection technologies and organizational performance, demonstrating that advanced technological interventions in leak management substantially contribute to operational effectiveness. The study concludes that innovation in water leak detection is a strategic imperative that transforms water management by enabling rapid leak identification, reducing water losses, and improving resource allocation. The study recommends that NWSC should invest in cutting-edge smart water technologies like advanced sensors, AI-driven monitoring, and Internet of Things-based leak detection systems. The organization should prioritize strategic infrastructure upgrades and regular maintenance plans to optimize water distribution and reduce non-revenue water losses. By embracing these technological innovations, NWSC can transform its operational model and become a forward-thinking, customer-centric utility service provider.

Keywords: Innovation Leakages, Performance, Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company, Nairobi County Kenya

Author Biographies

Oscar Andrew Waweru , Kenyatta University

Postgraduate student, Kenyatta University

Dr. Janesther Karuga, Kenyatta University

Lecturer, Department of Business Administration, School of Business Economics and Tourism, Kenyatta University

References

Anghileri, D., Pastori, M., Marcos-Garcia, P., Umlauf, G., Crestaz, E., Seliger, R., & Carmona-Moreno, C. (2024). Global Water Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa and how to strengthen science-policy dialogues on transboundary governance and cooperation. Journal of Environmental Management, 365, 121417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121417

Barros, D., Almeida, I., Zanfei, A., Meirelles, G., Luvizotto Jr, E., & Brentan, B. (2023). An Investigation on the Effect of Leakages on the Water Quality Parameters in Distribution Networks. Water, 15(2), 324. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020324

Gupta, A. D., Pandey, P., Feijoo, A., Yaseen, Z. M., & Bokde, N. D. (2020). Smart water technology for efficient water resource management: A review. Energies, 13(23), 6268. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236268

Hlalele, K. Ilunga, T. D., & Dinka, M. O. (2021). Causes of leaks and leakage management in water distribution systems. Strategic Asset Management, Rand Water, South Africa.

Imran, M. A., Ali, A., Ashfaq, M., Hassan, S., Culas, R., & Ma, C. (2018). Impact of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices on cotton production and livelihood of farmers in Punjab, Pakistan. Sustainability, 10(6), 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10062101

Klosok-Bazan, I., Boguniewicz-Zablocka, J., Suda, A., Łukasiewicz, E., & Anders, D. (2021). Assessment of leakage management in small water supplies using performance indicators. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 41181-41190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13575-5

Lusweti, F. (2021). Innovative Practices and Performance of Nzoia Water Services Company Limited, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Murray, S., Smith, J., & Brown, A. (2022). Integration of advanced sensor technologies for real-time leakage detection and their impact on overall system performance. Journal of Water Management, 45(3), 234-245.

Mutschinski, K., & Coles, N. A. (2021). The African Water Vision 2025: its influence on water governance in the development of Africa's water sector, with an emphasis on rural communities in Kenya: a review. Water policy, 23(4), 838-861. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2021.032

Mvulirwenande, S., & Wehn, U. (2021). Promoting smart water systems in developing countries through innovation partnerships: evidence from VIA water-supported projects in Africa. ICT for Smart Water Systems: Measurements and Data Science, 167-207.

Obunga, P. O. (2023). Assessing Deployment of Emerging Innovations and Technologies in Catalysing Sustainable Water Services Provision in Nairobi City County, Kenya: Case of Soweto Kayole Jisomee Mita (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Raza, M. A., Aman, M. M., Abro, A. G., Tunio, M. A., Khatri, K. L., & Shahid, M. (2022). Challenges and potentials of implementing a smart grid for Pakistan’s electric network. Energy Strategy Reviews, 43, 100941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100941

Santos, P., Ferreira, R., & Almeida, J. (2022). Impact of smart water grids on leakage Management and organizational performance. Smart Water Journal, 31(2), 78-90.

Shuma, E. C. (2021). Water Management Practices Influence on Quality of Service among Water Service Providers in Nairobi Environs (Doctoral dissertation, United States International University-Africa).

Singh, M., & Ahmed, S. (2021). IoT based smart water management systems: A systematic review. Materials Today: Proceedings, 46, 5211-5218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.08.588

Zhang, L., Liu, Y., & Wang, H. (2023). Predictive maintenance strategies in reducing leakage and improving system performance: A case study. Water Resources Research, 59(4), 890-904. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022WR033644

Downloads

Published

2025-04-04

How to Cite

Waweru , O. A., & Karuga, J. (2025). Influence of Innovation Leakages on Performance of Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company in Nairobi County, Kenya. Journal of Strategic Management, 9(1), 50–63. https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5360

Issue

Section

Articles