| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to examine the factors influencing effective management of electronic waste
with particular focus on cyber cafes in Nairobi Central Business District. The study sought to
increase understanding, enlighten and create public awareness about the problem of e waste. It
further provided an emphasis on use of environmentally sound management of hazardous waste
as stipulated in the Basel convention. Through the study, it is expected that proper understanding
of e waste management could be a source of employment opportunities for the youth. The
purpose of this study therefore was to examine factors contributing to effective management of e
waste. The study sought to accomplish the objectives of ; determining the extent to which the
availability of financial resources, public awareness influences effective management of
electronic waste by cyber cafes in Nairobi CBD, assessing the extent to which existing
regulatory framework influences effective management of e waste by cybercafés in Nairobi’s
Central Business District and establishing the extent to which availability of relevant technology
influences effective management of electronic waste by cyber cafes in Nairobi CBD. The study
used a descriptive survey design to accomplish its objectives. The target population of the study
was the licensed cyber café shops operating within Nairobi CBD as demarcated by Uhuru
Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue, Moi Avenue and University Way. The study used random
sampling to identify 168 cyber cafes to participate in the study. The study used primary data
sources which were obtained using questionnaires and secondary sources through review of
relevant literature. The qualitative data generated was analyzed by the use of content data
analysis and quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including percentages,
frequencies, means and standard deviation. The response rate for this study was 76.8%. On
period of operation, a third has operated their cybercafés for a period of 5-6 years. A proportion
of 26.36% have been in operation for 3-4 years, while 22.48% have operated the cybercafés for
over 6 years. With regard to the management of electronic and electric waste and the results of
data analysis, Kenya has inadequate financial resources to manage electronic waste. In addition
to these, the public are not well versed with such waste. Technology and technical skills of
dealing with e waste such as recovering valuable items from computer systems and presence of
refurbishing systems in Kenya are unavailable. The result of these is resale of obsolete or almost
end of life electronic and electrical appliances as one of the ways to deal with e-waste. The study
recommended that, the government through legislation should come up with laws that specify
handling of e-waste in Kenya. In addition, it also recommended special bins, fixed or mobile, to
be put in place so that, end-of life appliances can be safely disposed and to make it easier to
manage the waste unlike when mixed with daily household garbage. Further study can be done
to investigate the role of government on managing e-waste in Kenya. In addition, another study
can be undertaken to analyse effectiveness of policies controlling importation and donation of
second-hand electrical and electronic appliances. | en_US |
