The impact of solid waste disposal on the livelihoods of the residents of Ongata rongai, Kajiado county, Kenya

Abstract

Trash is a part of our everyday lives. We make trash, we see trash, and we dispose of trash. It is a big deal and it„s worth our collective attention as a nation. Unfortunately, litter can be found quite readily in our neighborhoods and on the streets such that it is a significant problem. Not only are the quantities increasing but also the variety, both a consequence of increasing urbanization, incomes, and changing consumption habits. The uncollected or illegally dumped waste constitutes a disaster for human health and environmental degradation. Although it is essential to public health and environmental protection, solid waste management in Kenya today is highly unsatisfactory. This study sought to find out the impact of waste disposal on the residents of Ongata Rongai town. The research adopted a descriptive research design. This allowed the researcher to gather information, summarize, present and interpret it for the purpose of clarification. The study targeted a total of 96 respondents in Ongata Rongai town from whom information was collected by the use of questionnaires. Simple random sampling was used to ensure that each member of the population stood an equal chance of being chosen to take part in the study. Data obtained from the field was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study were that all the respondents indicated that they had witnessed poorly disposed garbage either in Rongai Town or in the estates and an overwhelming majority of the respondents were of the opinion that Ongata Rongai town is not clean. Majority of the residents picked burning as the main method of waste disposal at home, followed by the use of Garbage Collection Services. The main method used by those in business outlets and street vendors was throwing waste where there was a heap of garbage. When in Rongai Town, the most common place of disposing litter was where the respondent saw a heap of garbage. This could be due to the reason that there are no bins or designated areas for throwing garbage around Rongai. Most of the residents and businesses dump garbage on the streets yet it is never collected by the County Council. The respondents complained that poorly disposed garbage had a negative impact on their lives, businesses and on the environment, mainly by producing a bad smell and causing diseases. Pollution was the biggest impact that the respondents felt garbage had on Rongai Town. The study concluded that solid waste disposal is a major problem in Ongata Rongai. In order to effectively manage the problem, the study recommends that public awareness be made to the residents on the hazards caused by poorly disposed garbage and the proper ways of disposal. The County Council should also be more involved in regular waste collection and provide dust bins and designated areas where businesses and residents can dispose garbage. . Another recommendation is that youth groups and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) should be encouraged to come up in order to convert garbage collection ventures into livelihood strengthening commercial enterprises; for example by composting municipal waste into organic fertilizer and recycling plastics and old tires. Residents and business people should also be responsible by using proper disposal methods and minimizing on waste generation through re-using items from the business and at home before discarding them.