Effect of Funding Schemes on the Sustainability of Water Conservation Projects in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of Kenya

Purpose of the Study: This study examined the effect of funding schemes on the sustainability of water conservation projects in Kenya's arid and semi-arid areas, focusing on the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project implemented by the Water Resources Authority. It sought to establish whether funding arrangements significantly influence long-term project sustainability and continuity. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design targeting 160 Water Resources Authority employees involved in the project. Stratified random sampling selected 48 respondents, while 44 completed structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and simple linear regression in SPSS Version 29 to determine relationships between study variables. Findings: The findings revealed that adequate funding, timely disbursement, diversified funding sources and effective financial management significantly enhanced the sustainability of water conservation projects. Respondents reported improved groundwater management, reliable water service delivery and well-maintained project infrastructure, although sustainability beyond donor funding remained a concern. Regression analysis established a statistically significant positive relationship between funding schemes and project sustainability (R² = 0.375, F = 25.198, p < 0.001; B = 0.542, p < 0.001), indicating that funding schemes explained 37.5 percent of the variation in sustainability and significantly predicted long-term project continuity in the study area. Conclusion: The study concludes that reliable, diversified and well-managed funding schemes are fundamental to sustaining water conservation projects in Kenya's arid and semi-arid areas. Strengthening blended financing, ensuring timely fund disbursement and improving financial management capacity will enhance project continuity and reduce dependence on donor funding after project completion.