An Assessment Of The Housing And Environmental Conditions Of Bondeni Estate In Nakuru Town, Kenya

Abstract

The study is an assessment of the housing and environmental conditions of Bondeni estate in Nakuru Town, Kenya. The study argues that informal settlements are characterized by several environmental challenges, including poor housing conditions that need to be clearly understood and investigated. Furthermore, concern has been raised on existence of health hazards presented through housing and environmental conditions such as poor drainage and sewerage, water and air pollution, as well as deplorable state of sanitation facilities. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the housing conditions in Bondeni informal settlement; to examine the environmental conditions in Bondeni informal settlement; to determine Bondeni residents’ opinion on their housing and environmental conditions; and to assess the potential effects of housing and environmental conditions on quality of life among Bondeni residents. The study used not only primary data sources but also secondary data sources to achieve its objectives. The collection of primary data involved the use of a structured and semi-structure questionnaire and direct field observation by the researcher. The pre-coded questionnaire sought information on respondents’ and household characteristics, housing conditions, sources of energy, drainage and sewerage, water supply, sanitation facilities, and residents’ opinion on their housing and environmental conditions. The collection of secondary data involved reviewing and utilization of relevant literature and government publications. The study results are based on a sample of 74 households randomly drawn from 6,148 households in Bondeni. The study found out that most of the households lived in rented houses (78.4%); used charcoal and firewood as their main source of cooking energy (71.7%); had challenges in disposing their solid wastes (59.7%); and used shared flush toilets (87.7%). The study found that poor environmental and housing conditions in Bondeni have negatively impacted the residents’ quality of life. This study recommends the need to give this problem a top priority so as to improve the housing and environmental conditions in informal settlements.