Organic Solid Waste Management in Nairobi County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the stages and practices of Nairobi County government on management of Organic Solid Waste (OSW). The specific objectives were to evaluate the process of Organic Solid Waste Management (OSWM) and determine the level of OSW resource generation and utilization in Nairobi County. The researcher adopted descriptive research design to address both quantitative and qualitative data to its simplest form. The study population included different parties involved in the handling and management of OSW in Nairobi County including Department of Environment (DOE) which has approximately five officers’ in-charge, 60 private registered companies and 18 Community Based Organisations (CBOs) with the Nairobi County, 91 estate agents and six NEMA officers in charge of monitoring the status of OSWM in the county. The sample size of research was 38 respondents. Primary and secondary collection methods were employed to gather data using multiple approaches such as observation, structured interviews, literature review and existing case study. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics methods. Descriptive statistics measured the average of OSW collected, segregated, recycled and disposed as per objective to evaluate the process of OSW. Frequencies, measures of dispersion and measures of central tendency were used. Data was presented in graphical and tabulated format for analysis purposes. Study findings established various processes that take place in the entire OSWM process ranging from generation, collection, segregation, recycling, treatment or reuse and dumping or disposal. The results also showed that there was low involvement of most of the stakeholders especially in the final stages which are important in ensuring that the process is sustainable and also help to accomplish the zero waste scenarios. Concerning second objective, results indicated that there was high generation of waste within the county especially market centres and residential places. The study further established that the main by-products of OSW were biogas and organic fertilizer. While the knowledge base on the by-products was there, results showed that few of them utilized them although they were willing to recommend their usage. Thus, the study recommends that efforts should be put into place to improve the management of OSW process within Nairobi County. This should be in the form of providing more resources both human and material to help in the smooth running of the processes. Another recommendation was that there should be more collaboration between the government and the private entities to address the problem.