Influence Of Public Participation On Solid Waste Management In Kitale Town, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Towns in developing countries are facing a double dilemma. On one hand, the urban population is growing rapidly causing a huge increase in demand for solid waste management services. On the other hand the local governments have failed to respond to the increased demand for solid waste management services. The local governments are constrained by resource and institutional limitations. It is often proposed that the solution lies in public sector participation. It is expected that the public sector, with its dynamism and flexibility, may fill in the service delivery gaps by forming partnership with the local governments. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of public participation on solid waste management in Kitale town, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The study objectives are to establish whether provision of solid waste storage facilities by the public influence solid waste management in Kitale town, to explore the extent to which solid waste collection and storage by the public influence solid waste management in Kitale town, to assess how solid waste reduction at source by the public influence solid waste management in Kitale town and to determine how solid waste transportation and disposal by the public influence solid waste management in Kitale town. The study population size was 870 household owners from Milimani, Grassland, Section 19 and Kipsongo Estates. Descriptive survey design was used. Representative sample units were selected using stratified random proportionate sampling using Cochran formulae (1963) and purposive sampling. Sample size of 265 respondents was used which consisted of 243 household owners, County staff 8 and 14 group members dealing with solid waste management. The data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. The secondary data for this study was obtained through document review. The response rate was 83 percent. The questionnaire was pilot tested using a sample of ten (10) respondents from Milimani Estate after which its reliability was determined using Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient (r). The study used frequency distribution tables and percentages for results presentations and IBM SPSS version 20 to analyse data. The study established that provision of solid waste storage facilities by the public, solid waste collection and storage by the public, reduction at source by the public and solid waste disposal by the public influence positively solid waste management in Kitale Town. Based on the study findings it was suggested that the County Government should sensitize the public to provide adequate solid waste storage facilities for ease of control of solid waste. Sites for solid waste holding which are within the access of the public should be designated. Solid waste segregation/sorting at source should be encouraged in order to enhance solid waste recycling, composting and reuse. Finally, the County Government should enhance collaboration between solid waste management groups and the County in terms of solid waste transportation and disposal and also by constructing a modern sanitary landfill for solid waste disposal.