The Role of Solid Waste Management Service Providers in Karatina Town

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the management of solid waste in Karatina town households and markets. This is because of the increasing sites of unattended solid wastes in its public places. The objectives of the study were: to profile solid waste management service providers, to analyze existing solid waste management framework, to establish the level of customer satisfaction and to recommend alternative solid waste management framework. The study adopted purposive sampling since the subjects sampled were not randomly assigned to groups but were all relevant cases in the study. The researcher used simple random sampling in selecting the desired sample of 144 households; the study also used purposive sampling method in identifying key informants with relevant information such as the Self-help Groups, the Nyeri County staff and other stakeholders involved in the management of the household wastes. Being a survey research, in collecting the primary data, the researcher designed and administered 144 household questionnaires to the randomly selected Karatina residents as well as interview schedules that were used to collect the data from the snow-balled key informants. Two Focus Group Discussions were also conducted in two locations of Karatina town as well as observation that was done through transects walks with an aim of gathering more information that did not require interview. The secondary data was obtained from the previous documented information on Solid waste management, and informal settlements. The data collected was qualitative and quantitative in nature. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis. The results indicated that polythene papers and plastic container are the most generated domestic solid waste. The study also found that Karatina residents have inadequate capacity to handle solid wastes generated from their households. The practice of the 3Rs: Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of the domestic solid waste is barely there. Most of the residents dump the generated domestic solid waste in compost pits and others in illegal dumpsites and only a small fraction can afford to pay for the existing collection services. The findings also identified various opportunities that exist in Karatina town for improvement of the current situation like intensive community training how to reduce, reuse and recycle domestic solid waste. The study makes various recommendations as follows; there is need to create intensive community awareness on integrated solid waste management especially on the 3Rs for Karatina residents. The main service providers handling domestic solid waste in Karatina such as the Karatina residents, Karatina University, group pitted to be contracted and the County Government; should employ an integrated approach and work together in the management of the household solid wastes. Finally, the Nyeri County should enforce the waste management‘s by-laws in order to ensure Adherence from Karatina residents.