Analysis of barriers to the Enforcement of Hazardous Waste Regulations in the Leather Industry: a case study of Thika Industrial Area, Kiambu County, Kenya.

Abstract

This study examined barriers to the enforcement of hazardous waste regulations in tannery effluent discharge in Thika industrial area, Kiambu County. The study sought to examine; i) efficacy of regulation in tannery effluent discharge in Thika industrial area ii) barriers hindering effective enforcement of regulations on tannery effluent discharge in Thika industrial area and, iii) pollution levels of tanneries in Thika industrial area. Purposive and snow-balling sampling targeted 67 household from Gachagi and Mwanawikio informal settlements in close proximity to the tanneries as well as officers from lead agencies at the County and National levels. Samples from tannery effluents were subjected to; Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for heavy metals and UV Spectroscopy for chromium compounds. Quantitative data from interviews and questionnaires was analyzed using SPPSS software. Findings of the study revealed high amounts of heavy metals and Chromium compounds from the tannery effluent discharge into river Chania posing a great health risk for the residents of nearby settlements. The lead agencies tasked with carrying out inspections and monitoring effluent discharge from tanneries lacked modern laboratory technology while enforcement officers lacked proficient knowledge on waste management. Barriers identified by the study to effective enforcement and monitoring of tannery waste management included; impunity and corruption of industrialists, inadequate treatment facilities for tannery waste, and inferior knowledge in tannery waste management and overlapping laws on hazardous waste management. Findings revealed that the current legal frameworks on tannery waste management solely focuses on; licensing, storage, transport, handling and release of toxic wastes but fail to address how monitoring of tannery activities should be conducted. The study recommends; Adoption of technological environmental innovations to achieve a superior environmental performance in view of ensuring that there is sustainable production and consumption, establishment of a coordinated information system between lead agencies at the County and National governments, setting up of modern testing laboratory technology at the County level, revision of EMCA penalties for stiffer penalties and continuous training of enforcement officers.