Need for public and private sector partnership in solid waste management
Abstract
Solid waste management is an essential public service that benefits all the urban
residents. It is not feasible to exclude from service those who do not pay because public
cleanliness and the safe disposal of wastes are essential to public health and
environmental protection. In the urban market of Nairobi, solid waste management is a
public good to which Nairobi City Council is typically responsible. This does not
however mean that the city council has to accomplish the task of solid waste service
delivery entirely with its own staff, equipment and monies. This is where the role of
private sector comes into play.
This study discusses the possibility of private sector participation in service delivery. The
study poses the question of whether and how to involve the formal private sector in the
provision of waste management in the markets.
The paper describes the inadequacies of public provision for SWM in Wakulima and City
market and discusses the possibility of private sector participation in service delivery.
The study therefore, poses the question of whether and how to involve the formal private
sector in the provision of waste management in the market.
The description of solid waste management in the study areas draws on researchers
questions and interviews with 66 market vendors, 6 NCC officials and 6 official from the
private firm. Market vendors and NCC officials' response revealed that the existing state of solid
waste management is far from satisfactory.
The study ends by recommending the need for public - private sector participation in
waste management and suggesting contracting as the best mode of involving the private
sector.
The study also recommends the creation of a policy that will clearly define the nature of
the relationship between the government and the private participants. Creation of a
contract management department in Nairobi City Council was also recommended by the
study.
Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Land Development, University of Nairobi