| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the human adjustment to solid waste pollution: a case study of
Dandora area in Embakasi constituency in Nairobi Province. Nairobi like other
developing world cities is characterized by rapid population growth and urbanization
hence vast amounts of solid waste that are generated and dumped in the city untreated.
The increase in solid waste generation has not been accompanied by an equivalent
increase in the capacity of the relevant urban authorities to deal with this problem. There
is an urgent need for new methods of waste handling and promoting fuller environmental
awareness.
Dandora has an estimated population of 110,164 and has a land area of 4square
kilometres with approximately 27,541 persons per square kilometre. Dandora is located
East of the city in Embakasi Division and borders Kasarani Division to the North, a
division which comprises poor neighbourhood such as Korogocho and Kariobangi. The
three neighbourhoods of Dandora, Kairobangi and Korogocho are estimated to host over
a quarter of a million residents. However, the study is restricted to Dandora phase two
due to the high population and proximity to the dump site by the Nairobi City Council. The general objective of the study was to assess the contribution of the community and
government in trying to combat the pollution problem in Dandora. The specific
objectives include:- To establish the extent solid waste pollution has impacted on the
lives of the residents of Dandora. To find out the perception and attitudes of the residents
of Dandora towards solid waste mar:agement problems. Identify and appraise community
mechanisms for solid waste management with the aim of suggesting more guidelines. The study adopted both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Data
collection methods and instruments included structured questionnaires, field observations
and personal interviews.
This study had a total of 68 respondents all residents of Dandora phase one. Descriptive
technique was used to organize, summarise and interpret quantitative information. Data
was presented in form of frequency tables. The benefits to the residents are short term
compared to the large and complex social and economic effects that the dumpsite has on
the residents of Dandora. Some benefits such as composting and recycling of plastics and
metals that are sold to dealers can be seen as short term. In the long term the impact of
pollution to the environment has caused the residents to suffer from such diseases as
respiratory tract irritation affecting!
It was also noted that the level of awareness about pollution is also very high among the
residents with 89.7% of residents saying they are aware of the pollution problem. 79.4 %
of the residents said pollution was a big problem in Dandora with the blame resting
squarely on the government and the Nairobi city council. 76.5% of the residents said the
pollution problem is still increasing this is seen as a result of increase in population and
improvement of the economy therefore more consumerism. The community identified some community coping mechanisms like the presence of
CBO's that helped in cleaning the environment and benefits derived from recycling some
of the wastes like plastics and metals and composting which they sell to farmers.
Some suggestions they came up with were like more environmental education or
sensitization that will help them to influence change through choosing of leaders who
will champion their rights and grievances. Through education they will also be more
aware of the health hazards that emanate from the dumpsite and be able to make
informed decisions.
From the findings we can conclude that social impacts are serious since many school
going children have dropped out of school to go and work in the dumpsite to earn a
living. Children should be encouraged to go back to school in order to be able to reduce
illiteracy among the residents of Dandora. Crime rate is high and this has affected people
living in Dandora. There should be a better way of handling crime in the area so as to
discourage those children who drop out of school joining with criminals because of being
with them within the dump site. To stop the high school drop out the children should be
facilitated to return to school and access vocational and skills training. They should be
take to homes where they can be able access to food, they should also be educated on
peer influence. Equipped with the vocational and skills training they should be
encouraged to earn their living hence reduction of poverty in the region. HIV/Aids
awareness should be enhanced in the region and assistant the orphaned children to
continue with the schooling instead of dropping out of school. Some recommendations were drawn as follows that various actors involved in waste
management including NCC, Ministry of local government, Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources, National Environment Management Authority, NOO's and CBO's
need to come up with a broad policy document similar to the White Paper on Integration
Pollution and Waste Management in South Africa that will aim at eradicating pollution
and ensuring that citizens of Dandora don't suffer unnecessarily due to the fumes
emanating from the dumpsite. Investment in incarnation should be explored in the
treatment of solid waste as compared to the current method of open pit dumping and
combustion, which has exacerbated the pollution problem. The cost of putting up an
incinerator is huge and therefore privatization would be a viable option. The recycling
of some wastes like plastics and metals and composing should be encouraged from the
source of the wastes. A change of attitudes on the consumers to segregate the wastes
from the household level will reduce the levels of pollution. Stakeholders in Nairobi's
solid waste management sector, for example, have demonstrated the robustness of the
criteria. According to them, economic instruments appropriate for the sector are those
that are politically acceptable and ensure support to the people living around the dump
site. Promote poverty reduction, employment and economic growth. Further Recommendations for the dump site include removal of the dumpsite from
Dandora to a non-residential area. The use of the waste to generate energy that can be
used in many households has being practiced in developed countries like Britain, we can
borrow a leaf and ensure we turn this waste into a viable energy resource for the country
to supplement the existing energy supplies. | en |
