| dc.description.abstract | Only 25% to 50% of the 3200 tons of solid waste generated in the city of Nairobi is collected and transported to the main city dumpsite, leaving tons of unsightly and smelly waste to accumulate in open spaces, markets, drains and on the roadside every day (JICA, 1998; Kasozi & von Blottnitz , 2010; Ikiara et al, 2004). The slums are the .least served by the city's waste collection system, and with over 46 slums located within the Nairobi River Basin (NRB), and all lacking in basic sanitary provisions, rivers in the basin have been receipients of most of the waste. Water sample analysis in the basin have identified that river sections passing through informal settlements, industrial areas and agricultural units are polluted up to 2000 times above the World Health Organization standards (GoK, 2008; Ikiara et al. 2004; Calas & Martinon,20 1 0). The Mathare River is one of the Nairobi River Basin tributaries passing through an informal settlement - the Mathare Slums; and was the focus of this study.
This study, using a combination of social surveys. spatial analysis. and critical review and analysis of past studies on water quality in the Mathare River sought to evaluate whether there exists a relationship between waste generation and disposal patterns among Mathare slum dwellers and pollution of the Mathare River. The study objectives were: to compile and compare existing literature on water quality in the Mathare River; to examine the types of wastes generated at both household and business levels, their method and points of disposal and whether these contribute to river pollution; and. to identify and map out on-site pollution spots within the Mathare River. Because of abundance of data on water qual ity analysis done previously, this study did not do any water quality analysis but only compared findings from three main studies - UNEP, UoN (2005), Kithiia (2006) and Nguyo (2011) for overall appreciation of the water quality in the river. Both household/business questionnaires were used to collect data on waste generation, handling and disposal patterns adopted by Mathare slum dwellers, for which 202 respondents, selected using the proportionate stratified random sampling procedure were interviewed.
On the other hand, mapping was limited to where solid and liquid wastes were disposed of by both households and businesses, and the points where different wastes entered the river channel. Using the data collected from the field. and by adopting various analysis methods, including frequency analysis, cross tabulations, overlay analysis, proximity analysis. and buffering and distance decay analysis, the study found out that there exists a relationship between waste disposal patterns among Mathare slum dwellers and pollution of the Mathare River. Spatial analysis on the Geographic Information System platform established that about 60% of solid waste disposal spots are within a 50metre buffer of the river and that, even though liquid wastes are disposed in drains spread throughout the slums and away from the river, they all empty into the river. Both the solid and liquid waste disposal patterns thus contribute to onsite river pollution in Mathare. The findings thus gave significant evidence to reject the , hypothesis that 'there is no significant relationship between waste disposal patterns adopted by Mathare slums dwellers and their perception on pollution of the Mathare River'.
In general, waste management in the Mathare slums is the greatest contributor to pollution of the Mathare river. In order to rehabilitate the river and to ensure its sustainable management in a clean state, the underlying issues, and particularly sanitary infrastructure provision in the slums spread throughout the river basin ought to be addressed. This study recommends, among other things, the development of a waste management plan for the Mathare slums, with a bias on on-site recycling. The achievement of this will not only help shape the river rehabilitation, but will also promote a clean environment and create economic, social, environmental and recreational opportunities for those living in the Mathare Slums, the larger Nairobi city and those further downstream. The identification, by this study, of the exact points where pollutants originate, and the points they get in to the river is starting point for action towards river rehabilitation. | en_US |
