THE CHALLENGES OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN URBAN AND PERI URBAN AREAS, A CASE STUDY OF NJOKERIO,NAKURU COUNTY KENYA

ABSTRACT

The study was sought to identify the problems of solid waste management in Njokerio. The two broad types of data, the secondary and primary data were used in the study. Interviews and personal observations and FGDs were also used to collect some of the data. Factors impeding the effective and efficient solid waste management were identified.

CHAPTER  1.  INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION      

Like many unplanned settlement Njokerio started as a farm in 1980s.It was owned by two

Europe and after the end of 99 years of leasing they sold it to a given society which consisted of people who joined hands together to buy the land. People moved into the farm from various parts of the country including Nyeri, Nakuru Kericho. Therefore the area comprises of various tribes with diversify culture .Njokerio is bordered by Egerton University, Belber, Beeston and Nasuit forest.

The people were given three quarter an acre and some were given double/triple portions according to their contributions.  In total there are 1138 each containing 2 to3 household but the number has increased. In 1990s when Egerton College was promoted to a university the center expanded due to increase in the population of the university the number increases due to limited infrastructure facilities in university and students and staff find their way in Njokerio. At first very few students who stayed in Njokerio but due to the amazingly increasing number of student who are overcrowded in hostels some prefer to stay in Njokerio. After the students increased people decided to build residential houses without proper plan some were permanent some temporal with inadequate solid waste disposal facilities

Estimating its population is hard due emigration and immigration rates which are high between and within the semester but its population is roughly 14200 according to the area sub chief .Due its unplanned nature the residents do not have a systematic way of collecting there waste no wonder as you pass through the street along paths there are many unsightly heaps of solid waste posing danger to people and environment.

Some households have pits for solid waste collection which are open producing odorous gas inhabiting variety of pest and breeding places for insects such as mosquitoes. The local business people are tax payers to Nakuru municipal council but so far it does not collect waste in the area. If the conditions go unattended it will lead to many human and environmental problems.

The physical Environment of Njokerio faces all the serious problems confronting all rapidly growing unplanned areas. Sanitation generally in the area is very poor. There are visible unsightly scenes of heaps of rubbish in open dumps, which are ever flowing.

Livestock are often found feeding on some of the rubbish on or along the streets and other open places.  The area has a very poor drainage system. Drains, which are very essential in residential areas, are lacking in the area. These drains are dirty and filled with rubbish, and some are running through compounds of houses. Basically, there is a minimal provision of amenities such as adequate refuse dumping grounds, toilet facilities, and playing fields as well as recreational centers for the area.

There is evidence of uncontrolled development and unplanned settlements. This and the lack of basic infrastructure have made the community substandard. In terms of residential stress, it is one of the worst affected areas. The houses are the closed compound courtyard type both permanent and temporal. On the whole, the general environment is quiet dismal, and it especially faces very severe problem of solid waste management. Solid waste according to Miller (1988) is any useless, unwanted, or discarded material that is not liquid or gas. A great mixture of substances including fine dust, cinder, metal, glass, paper and cardboard, textiles, putrescible vegetable materials and plastic characterise solid waste (Simmens, 1981)As time passes the only certainty is that accumulation of waste will  outstrip its control. Throughout the western world, there are no longer enough convenient holes in the grounds into which to tip unwanted matter   (Gourlay, 1992).

 People’s apathetic and lackadaisical attitudes towards matters relating to personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness, of which waste management in general is its focal point, should not be over looked. There is no single solution to the challenge of waste management. The waste management process is usually framed in terms of generation, storage, treatment, and disposal, with transportation inserted between   stages as required. Hence, a combination of source reduction, recycling,   incineration, and burring in landfills and conversion is currently the optimal way to manage solid waste. It therefore becomes important for this study to examine the problems of solid waste management in Njokerio.

The occupational background of the residents is trading for the both men and women. Most of the women engage in marketing activities such as selling of vegetables in groceries. A few of the women are also engage in shop keeping. Some men work as civil servants, “Watchmen” (security men) and laborers some shoe repairer and some are electricians only a small proportion and insignificant percentage of the population work as office employees, and most of this category have a fairly high standard of living and higher educational background. The occupational level of residents is closely linked up with their income level. This research was therefore intended to provide insight to citizens, government officials, and business people   who might want to help resolve the solid waste management crisis in Njokerio.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

 Despite the present concerns of individuals and the government about waste management in Kenya, Njokerio settlement in Njoro district is still faced with serious SWM problems. From Observation, domestic and municipal solid wastes are commonly found in Njokerio. Domestic waste comes from activities such as cooking and from human excreta. Municipal wastes are the trash from commercial establishments, small industries, and households. These include tins, plastic products, and polythene bags. These form the greater part of the waste observed on the streets, in gutters, and the back of houses in Njokerio. Containers for storing solid wastes in homes include old buckets, baskets, plastic containers, boxes, sacks, and even polythene bags, which in most cases have no lids. Hence, the wastes are even spread around before they get to the sanitary sites.

 

1.3 REASERCH OBJECTIVE:

 Was to assess the problem of solid waste in Njokerio center.

                        

1.4 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Were

·         To ascertain the attitudes and perceptions of people towards solid waste management.

·         To find out the type of solid waste from Njokerio

·         To ascertain the attitudes and perceptions of people towards solid waste management.

·         To find out main sources of solid waste in Njokerio

·         To find out how people dispose their solid waste

·         To assess solid waste management at the household levels in the study area.

·         To make recommendations for improving solid waste management in the study area

1.5 JUSTIFICATION

Improper solid waste management has lead to substantial negative environmental impacts (for example pollution of air soil and water and generation of greenhouse gases from landfills (and healthy and safety problems such as disease spread by insects and rodents by garbage heaps and diseases associated with difference forms of pollution. Municipal (local authorities are charged with the responsibility of providing  municipal solid waste management services together with other municipal services have found it increasingly difficult to play this role. The difficulty has been aggravated by lack of effective legislation, inadequate funds and services and inability of municipal to provide the services efficiently

Changing lifestyle such as use of canned soft drink, mobile phones, and disposal diapers moreover will pose special waste management challenges,  as waste management systems in developing countries are incapable of frequent adjustment to match these lifestyle changes.

Njokerio is upcoming unplanned urban center which is growing at a fast rate in terms of population and economy equally the solid wastes are produced at an alarming rate. If the condition is not checked environmental degradation and environmental related health disease will increase; diseases like malaria, dysentery, and respiratory infections due to open dump site. The diseases will affect students who reside and do shopping there and some like cholera may lead to closure of university.

CHAPTER 2.     

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

  A lot has been said, written, and demonstrated about the inadequacies in solid waste management and its associated problems. According to a United Nations Conference on Human Settlement report, one third to one-half of solid waste generated within most cities in low- and middle-income countries, of which Kenya is no exception, are not collected. They usually end up as illegal dumps on streets, open spaces, and waste lands (UNCHS 1996). Despite the importance of adequate solid waste management to the urban environment, the performance of many city authorities in this respect leaves much to be desired. According to Malombe (1993), irregular services rendered to producers of refuse by municipal councils compel them to find ways of disposing of refuse. He observed that the main methods adopted by the producers are burning, composting, or indiscriminate dumping. This is very pertinent in Kenya where waste management services are largely inefficient and ineffective. It is estimated that about 83% of the population dump their refuse in either authorized or unauthorized sites in their neighborhood, and due to weak capacity to handle solid waste, unsanitary conditions are created (Benneh, Songsore, Nabila, Amuzu, Tutua, & Yaugyuorn, 1993) Although these weaknesses have been attributed to lack of logistics and financial management, people’s attitudes towards waste management should not be ignored (Nze 1978). He outlined several factors, which have conspired to promote the massive build up of urban garbage and waste. He noted that they resulted from inadequate and deficient infrastructure, inadequate structures for environmental administration lopsided planning pastures and disregard for basic aesthetics, industrial and commercial growth, and other human factors. According to him, urban wastes in Nigeria are regarded as “non resources” having at best a nuisance value and therefore not surprising that an equally negative posture has been adopted in managing wastes from urban concentrations in the country. Navez-Bounchaire (1993) stated that the management of household refuse is tied to perceptions and socio-cultural practices which result in modes of appropriation of space which are greatly differenced according to whether the space is private or public. This is relevant to the   study, because the area has diverse socio-cultural practices, as the population is heterogeneous. To Sule (1981), the main cause of the problem of Nigerian city’s poor environmental condition can be ascribed to improper management of solid wastes and the lack of seriousness in the enforcement of solid waste disposal code. This is very pertinent in Ghana where the enforcement of the solid waste disposal code is not effective at the local levels. Karley (1993), in an article entitled, “Solid Waste and Pollution,” in the Daily Graphics (October 9, 1993) identified the main problem facing Kenya as the lack of suitable sites for disposal of solid waste, of which we attribute to the failure of social and economic development to  keep pace with the natural population increase and rural-urban migration. This is an undeniable fact, because Njokerio residential area in Njoro is seriously facing that problem due to poor planning, lack of logistics, and poor attitudes towards solid waste handling. Benneh et al. (1993) observed that residential domestic waste forms the bulk of all sources of solid waste produced in urban areas. These household wastes are known to have high densities with high moisture content and the organic component of solid wastes, which properly accounts for about 70% to 90%, while tins, cans and paper are probably responsible for about 5% to 10% of the total waste produced. They further argued that because the capacity to handle all of the household waste generated is still weak, about 83% of the population dump refuse in either authorized or unauthorized sites in their neighborhood which creates unsanitary conditions. They also argued that insufficient communal facilities can lead to open defecation along beaches, drains, and open spaces and the tendency for faecal materials to become intermixed with household refuse. This view expressed by Benneh et al. (1993) is relevant to the study because Njokerio center are densely populated and are low-income areas. They are also not served with adequate sanitary facilities. These inadequacies lead to indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains, gutters, and Njoro River, and to open defecation in these areas. Benneh et al. proposed the involvement of local groups in solid waste management side by side the operations of governmental agencies. According to Stirrup (1965), the method of refuse disposal must be related to the nature of the community served, its financial capacity, the type of materials arising, climatic conditions, the desirability of utilising materials in certain instances compared with the imperative need to utilise them in order to assist in the provision of vital raw materials. The effectiveness of the selected system will be determined in relation to the immediate disposal requirements and the need to cater to the conditions likely to arise. Residents generate large volumes of wastes but do not dispose of waste in an acceptable manner. This is important to the study because people’s attitudes towards waste   management are questionable Edmunson (1981), in his study on refuse management in Kumasi, pointed  out that most sites used for refuse dump are chosen without taking into consideration the distance to be covered by residents. Thus, he recommended that sanitary sites should be cited close to waste generators. Adelaide (1995) also observed that disposal sites in Accra are situated quite a distance away from inhabitants or sellers. They therefore resort to littering their surroundings. This might be a factor in the poor sanitation in Njokerio. He also argues that inhabitants, sellers, shoppers, and industrialists dispose of waste on the street, into troughs, and at other unauthorized places. He attributes these unacceptable habits of indiscriminately disposing of waste to the public’s lack of waste disposal culture as well as inadequacy of waste disposal facilities. This testifies to the importance of attitude in waste management issues.  . The study of Asamoah (1998) revealed that lack of adequate sanitary facilities results in indiscriminate dumping of refuse and defecation at places not designated for such purposes. Abrokwah (1998) observed that ignorance, negligence, lack of law to punish sanitary offenders, and low level of technology in waste      management are the major causes of waste management problems.. He suggested that awareness should be created among residents to manage household refuse and educate them on the hazards that ill-disposed waste could pose to the environment and to them. According to Agbola (1993), cultural derivatives, beliefs, perceptions   and attitudes are learned response sets. They can therefore be modified or changed through education. These points to the fact that people’s unconcerned attitudes towards solid waste can be changed for the better through education. According to Pacey (1990), formal education for women is a pre-requisite for change in sanitation behavior. Abankwa (1998) found that households of high income and single dwelling units generate an average dry refuse of three kilograms per day, while the low income and compound dwelling units generate about five kilograms. Of the five kilograms of refuse in the low income unit’s garbage constitutes four point two five kilograms, and rubbish constitutes zero point five kilograms. The wastes invariably consist of items like vegetables and tuber remains. This is relevant to the study for the fact that the area is a low-income settlement. This high generation of waste tells us how source reduction as a waste management method is important. Gourlay (1992) argued that by focusing on the production process itself, examining where wastes are generated, and exploring how they can be reduced, even simple measures, such as separating wastes so that they can be reused more easily, using different raw materials or replacing non-biodegradable products with biodegradable ones, can help achieve large waste reduction results. He also claimed that the greater part of present waste arises not because the producer does not want it, but he fails to use it, or at least use   it in such quantities that waste is inevitable. This argument places emphasis on recycling and conversion of waste as important solid waste management practices. According to Stirrup (1965), pulverization and grinding are means of reducing the volume of waste, or they are used to prepare refuse for final disposal processes. He further stressed that in some instances a threefold problem could be overcome by the use of composting. Thus, the feeding of impoverished soils, disposal of large portions of the refuse,   and the disposal of sewage sludge can be realised through composting. Moreover, Stirrup claimed that the major advantage of incineration are complete destruction of combustible and organic matter, reduction of  bulk, the ability to operate under hygienic conditions free from  interference by the type of weather conditions that would affect  disposal by tipping and the possibility of using residual heat from the     furnaces. The solid waste management system of Ghana, and for that matter Accra, lacks most of these advantages due to the inability to afford incinerators. Gourlay (1992) observed that in larger cities      collection and disposal of solid waste is a municipal responsibility but the actual business of disposal is often contracted out to private

 CHAPTER 3.     

3.0 Methodology

For best results, there was triangulation and application of the following methods usually utilized in social development studies

3.1Data collection

Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used to collect data. Secondary data was literature review while primary data was through the following methods:

3.1.1 Key Informant Interviews

This involved interviewing 10 individuals selected for their knowledge and experiences on solid waste management. This mainly targeted students, trained and non trained staff, local community and business people. The interviews was qualitative, in- depth and semi- structured to elicit the perception and altitude on solid waste management and subsequently the afterwards effects and how they tackled it. The interviewer was subtly probe the informant to elicit information, opinions and experiences.

3.1.2Focus Discussion Groups

FDG was also used whereby 10 carefully selected residents in the center were facilitated to freely discuss solid waste management issues, ideas and their impact amongst themselves. The moderator introduced the subject, keep the discussion going. He was also to prevent domination of the discussions by few participants. Focus discussion groups was homogeneous, with participants of similar backgrounds as much as possible.

3.1.3 Direct Observation

During my research visited various communities’ homesteads sites to tactfully observe, see and hear what the people say solid waste disposal and management and its impact on people and environment. Every detail was recorded in an observation sheet. The information was not limited as it contained physical surroundings or about ongoing activities and process that aggravated improper solid waste disposal.

3.1.4 Mini- Surveys

A structured questionnaire with a limited number of closed ended questions was administered to 20 local people in the selected five locations. The respondent were selected through probability or non probability sampling techniques

3.1.5 Questionnaire distribution

A questionnaire was used in data collection. It was a simple structured document of 3 pages. It was carefully structured to avoid biasness and reduce errors.

3.2 Data Analysis

The completed questionnaire was analyzed comprehensively using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) data analysis software and properly compiling information. The tabulated results will be tested using Anova and Chi- Square.

 

3.3Feasibility obstacles

The study took place in a vast geographical region monetary resources were a limiting factor. Some community members did not disclose important information to the researcher. Some also demanded payment before being interviewed however; I made a representative sample population that was easy to manage to avoid cost constraints. Also before data collection explained to the locals the importance of the study in improving their livelihoods through construction of a statistical model to address the issue of land subdivision and also making the appropriate recommendations to the relevant authorities. This was to help in tackling with land degradation in their area.

3.4 FINDINGS

This was the results in form of pie charts.

Most of the people in study area are between 20 and 30 years old about60%.

About 35% of the population pursued there education to secondary level while 25% has no formal education.

About 25% of the homesteads are inhabited by 5 members while 20% are inhabited by 3 members

About 55% of the solid waste is derived from polythene bags, 30%are food leftovers and 15% plastic containers.

85% of the sample population do not reuse their solid waste and only 15% reuse their waste.

About 35% of population sample dispose their waste in pits, 28% in dustbin, 16% burn their waste while 10% in composite pit.

60% of the populations think they cannot dispose their waste in a better way while 40% think they can dispose in a better way.

78% 0f sample size think that county council or any other authority should collect their waste while 28% don’t think so.

55% of sample size is willing to pay for safe solid waste disposal while 45% are not willing to pay.

63% of population think that it important to reduce, reuse or recycle solid waste to conserve environment while 39% do not think it is.

80% of people approximately dispose about 1 to 5 Kgs daily while 20% dispose about 5 to 10 Kgs daily.

About 78% of the population thinks that if dustbins are placed in Njokerio streets they will be of help but 22% do not think that if dustbins are placed in Njokerio they will not be of help.

78% of population think that poor solid waste management negatively impact our environment while 22% do not think it is.

100% of population think poor solid waste management negatively impact human health

CHAPTER 4  :  DISCUSSION CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION

4.1 DISCUSSION

Most people do not reuse most of the solid waste Solid waste, when treated well, can be turned into a resource. For example polythene bags can be reused to carry food stuffs from the market.

Most people dispose their waste in pits others dustbins while others in composite pits, and thereafter the waste is burned and some is taken to open dumpsites whereby they are unsightly attract scavengers insects and rodents which are causative agents for many diseases including malaria.

The county council or any other NGOs should take the task of collecting solid waste from Njokerio settlement so that they can dispose it in a better way to reduce its impacts on environment and human health.

The main sources of solid waste include; food leftover, plastic containers and polythene bags. Therefore most of the waste is neither very toxic nor hazardous with proper management and disposal there can be minimal and negligible effects to environment and human health.

Most people do not think there are better ways they can dispose their waste

Most people think that county council of Nakuru or any other authority should collect their solid waste.

Most people will rather want to manage solid waste for their health and not because of negative environmental impact health effects are quickly manifested than environmental impact. For example if water or food is contaminated there will be an outbreak of malaria immediately soil contamination from heavy metals will take years to be manifested.

Many of the people are willing to pay for proper solid waste management because they know it pollutes their rivers that it may be detrimental to their health. But their needs to be sensitization on better way of solid waste reduction reusing recycling and finally disposal.

4.1 Conclusion  

Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used to collect data. Secondary data were literature review while primary data will be through the following methods: The occupational background of the residents is mostly trading for the both men and women.

 Cultural derivatives, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes are learned response sets. They can therefore be modified or changed through education. This point to the fact that people’s unconcerned attitudes towards solid waste can be changed for the better through education. Formal education for women is a pre-requisite for change in sanitation behavior found that households of high income and single dwelling units. Solid waste, when treated well, can be turned into a resource, but the greater part of wastes generated in Njokerio seem not to undergo any treatment before their final disposal. They are left in piles for weeks to create unsanitary scenes that smell bad and, worst of all, create diseases. Solid wastes generated in Njokerio are most often disposed of in open dumps, gutters, and t the back of houses probably due to the inadequate solid waste management equipment or the long distances to the sanitary sites. People also leave their wastes in piles for days before they finally get to the sanitary sites for disposal

4.2 Recommendations

 Awareness should be created among residents to manage household refuse and educate them on the hazards that ill-disposed waste could pose to the environment and to them. This awareness can through seminars, focused group discussions and women groups.

Attitude and perception be changed through sensitization by local government and other NGOs. Most people think that since they are taxpayers the county council should collect their waste without knowing that if they manage their solid waste it will be less expensive and less detrimental to their health.

Encourage integrated solid waste management whereby there is reduction of solid waste to the lowest acceptable amount, reusing and recycling.

CHAPTER 5 :REFERENCES

1.      Abankwa, B. 1998. “The problems of Waste Management in Kenya’’

2.      Kumas Status Report on Population, human Resource and Development  planning and policy in Ghana 1960, 1991.

3.      National population council,Ashanti Press, Kumasi.

4.      Abrokwah, K. 1998. “Refuse Management problems in central Kumasi”.

5.      Adelaide, A. 1995. Waste Management and Sanitation at James Town and  Accra Central.

6.      A dissertation submitted to the Department of Sociology,  University of Ghana, Legon

7.      W.L. (3ed) Environmental Education in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of learning, Vancouver.     

8.      Gourlay K.A. 1992. World of Waste, Dilemmas of industrial development,  Zed Books Limited, London.      

9.      Malombe J.M. 1993. “Sanitation and Solid Waste Disposal in Malindi, Kenya

10.  Nze, F.C. 1978. “Managing Urban Waste in Nigeria for Social and economic   development” Journal of Management Studies, Lagos Vol 5, Nigeria.

11.  Stirrup, F.C. 1965. Public Cleansing, refuse disposal, Percamon Press, Oxford.

12.  UNCHS. 1996. “An urbanising world global reports on human settlements”, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

13.  World bank 1999. “ Solid waste management in Kenya ”    

APPENDIX

 

Work Schedule

No	Activity	Month1(DEC 2011)	Month2(JAN 2011)	Month3 (FEB 2012)	Month 4 (MAR 2012)	Month5
1	Pre- visit and Mini Surveys, Questionnaire preparation	×××
2	Questionnaire  administering	×××	×××
3	Holding of Focus Group Discussion		×××
4	Interviews with the residents	×××	×××
5	Data analysis and report writing and information sharing(presentation)			×××	×××	×××

SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear respondent,

My name is Elvin Mbaka. I am a student at Egerton university pursuing Bachelor of Science in environmental science. I am currently undertaking a project on problems of solid waste management in unplanned settlements and am using Njokerio center as my case study.

The research is part of my fulfillment of my undergraduate course would appreciate your responses to my questionnaire and they will be treated with a lot of confidentiality. Thanks in advance.

INSTRUCTION

Please put a tick in the bracket against appropriate option whre comments are required use the space provided.

SECTION A

1.      Name  (optional)………………………………………………………………………….

2.      Gender     male(  ) female

3.      Age 15-20     21-30    31-40    41-50    Above 50

4.      Educational level     Primary     Secondary      University       No formal education

5.      Occupation Teacher   businessman   Student    Doctor   Others specify……………………………

6.      How long have you lived in this area                                                                                                     Less than 20 years           

a.       Over 20 years  

b.      Less than 10 years  

c.       Farming

d.      Others, specify

                                                  SECTION B

      7How do you characterize your homestead?

a)       Permanent

b)Temporal

7.      What is your role in this homestead, are you head of the household?    No (  )        Yes(  )  

8.      If no, what is your relationship with the household……………………………………………………………………………………………

9.      How many people are in the homestead ……………………………………………………………

10.  How can you clarify yourself

11.  What are the main sources of income Agriculture (  )      Livestock farming (  )     Trading (  )            other specify    (  )                                   

12.  Give reasons why you moved into this area

a.       Native of the area

b.      Farming                          

                                 SECTION C                                                                                                                                                                                 

13.  What are the main sources of solid waste in your house?       Food leftovers(   )                                                                              plastic containers (  )              polythene bags   (  )  

14.  Do you reuse any solid waste     Yes(  )   No(  )

15.  Where do you dispose your waste ………………………………………………………………….

16.  Do you think there are better ways you can dispose your waste   Yes(  )   No(  )

17.  Are you willing to pay for safe solid waste disposal?   Yes(  )   No(  )

18.  Do you think the county council or any other authority should collect your solid waste? Yes(  )   No(  )

19.  Do you think it is important to reduce, reuse or recycle solid wastes to conserve environment?    Yes(  )   No(  )

20.  Do you think it is important to dispose well the solid wastes to conserve environment               Yes(  )   No(  )

21.  Approximately how much do in Kgs do you dispose waste daily 1-5Kgs (  )    5-10Kgs(  )    Above 10 Kgs(  )  

22.  If dust bins are placed on Njokerio streets do you think they will be of help?    Yes(  )   No(  )

23.  Do you think poor solid waste management negatively impact our environment………………………………………………………………………………………

24.  Do you think poor solid waste management negatively impact on human health………………………………………………………………………………………………