Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Policy Framework on Solid Waste Management in Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract
Waste management is problematic world over and it is the greatest hurdle for municipal
governments within the urban areas to manage due to rapid population growth which
increases generation of waste. Solid wastes are generated by all types of human
engagement as a result of industrial, social and domestic activities. Waste if not properly
managed within the urban settlements / cities, impacts on public health and the general
environment. Solid waste specifically causes pollution of surface and ground water,
blockage of drains and streams resulting to flooding. The general objective of the study
was assessing the effectiveness of the policy framework on solid waste management within
institutional, financial, technical and regulatory facets, using the case of Nairobi City
County. The theoretical framework was based on institutional and capacity building
theories where the multi – tier pillars of institutions and all the elements influence
sustainable solid waste management system and empowering individuals, communities and
institutions, expected to perform their functions and solve problems. Theory of planned
behaviour (TPB) and socio ecological theories (TSET) helped to examine human
behaviours because people are always at the centre of any environmental activities. The
conceptual framework assumed that within institutional, financial, technical and regulatory
facets are dependent on existing governance instruments (laws, regulations and policies)
and their levels of implementation, public perceptions and awareness, attitudes and
practices and compliance. The study adopted a mixed study design and data was collected
using surveys, through structured questionnaires, using a mobile based geo-referenced data
management system called KMacho. This involved initial coding of the questionnaire for
uploading into the system for data collection. Data was then collected using mobile phones
installed with the application. This was collaborated with key informant interviews (KII),
focus group discussion (FDG) and spatial satellite geo-spatial images. Random sampling
was used to select focus group discussion and key informant interview groups, because any
member of a group has an equal chance of being selected. The survey design was
considered more efficient since it is convenient data with high level of accuracy
in representing a large population. The collection method has good statistical significance
and provides precise results. The sample size in this study included 385 households. The
sample was determined using stratified sampling procedure. They were randomly selected
and to minimized biasness, a systematic random sampling within the estates was done and
the subject units were either male or female household heads. Purposive sampling was used
to collect data on the spatial extent of illegal dumping sites. This data was generated from
high resolution satellite images of 2003, 2007, 2013 and 2017 which identified dumping
sites which were selected based on their spatial resolution characteristics and their spatial
coverage. Majority of the respondents 291 out of 385 (76%) were aware of what makes the
environment clean or dirty, were aware of the policies and regulations on solid waste
management and how it can influence their behaviour on the way they handled their
generated waste. However, majority of 62% agreed that the enforcement of these policies
has not been carried out properly, as opposed to 36% of respondents who indicated that
there is a problem in relation to the implementation of these policies. Majority, 269 out of
385 (69%) were willing to comply with the policies on segregation of waste and the 3R
concept (reduce, reuse and recycle), but there were poor structures in place to empower
them, thus the negative attitude portrayed by the public towards solid waste management
through the culture of indiscriminate littering and lack of environmental ethics and values.
This was confirmed by majority of the respondents, 254 out of 385 (66%) who agreed that
public awareness needs to be conducted more on SWM by NCC. This provide evidence to
inform policy decisions that, different policy interventions are required focussing on SWM
and the public responsibility and greater management capacity at all levels to enhance a
sustainable system
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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