Determinants of Indiscriminate Solid Waste Disposal in Eldoret Central Business District, Kenya

“Uncollected and Unchecked: Understanding the Roots of Solid Waste Dumping in Eldoret’s CBD”

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF SOLID WASTE IN CITIES AND URBAN AREAS: A CASE STUDY OF ELDORET CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, KENYA

ABSTRACT

The problem of solid waste exists wherever human populations are found, and as societies develop, the nature and scale of these problems evolve. What may begin as a local challenge can grow into a major urban crisis as population density and living standards increase. Environmental, technological, and financial factors all influence solid waste management, while the growing need to conserve resources demands even greater attention.

In Kenya, concerns over poor waste management have been widely expressed by individuals, NGOs, and government agencies. Despite these efforts, Eldoret Town continues to face serious challenges in managing solid waste effectively. Observations show that domestic, commercial, and electronic wastes are commonly dumped indiscriminately in the Central Business District (CBD). These wastes include plastics, tins, polythene bags, and discarded electronic materials, often found littering streets, gutters, and behind commercial premises.

This study seeks to determine the factors contributing to the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste in Eldoret CBD. Both primary and secondary data will be collected—through questionnaires, field observations, and review of published materials, health records, and journal articles. Data will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for environmental planning and management within the Eldoret Municipal Council and contribute to national environmental management records and policy improvement.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Information

Human societies have always generated waste, a problem that has intensified since the Industrial Revolution. Waste can be defined as any material that is no longer useful to its owner or has failed to serve its intended purpose (Gourlay, 1992). According to Miller (1988), solid waste refers to all useless, unwanted, or discarded materials that are neither liquid nor gaseous. These include a mixture of materials such as dust, metal, glass, paper, textiles, plastics, and vegetable matter (Simmens, 1981).

In developing nations, the accumulation of waste has consistently outpaced control efforts. Many of these countries lack appropriate facilities, technologies, and sustainable disposal methods. The process of solid waste management generally involves waste generation, storage, collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal. No single approach can solve this complex challenge; effective management typically combines source reduction, recycling, composting, and controlled disposal.

Like other growing urban centers in Kenya, Eldoret faces serious challenges in managing solid waste throughout its life cycle—from generation to disposal. Public indifference, poor perception, and negative attitudes toward waste management have contributed to the unsightly accumulation of waste in the CBD. Storage containers used within the area—such as old tins, boxes, sacks, and polythene bags—are often uncovered, allowing waste to spill onto streets and into open areas. Inadequate waste collection equipment and insufficient municipal services further worsen the situation. Some business owners resort to paying street boys to dispose of waste in open spaces or drains when municipal trucks fail to collect it.
Given these challenges, this study seeks to identify and analyze the key factors contributing to indiscriminate dumping of solid waste within Eldoret’s Central Business District.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite national and local efforts to improve waste management, Eldoret Town continues to experience serious problems related to solid waste disposal. Industrial and municipal wastes are particularly common within the CBD. These include plastic products, metal cans, paper, and polythene bags, which often end up littering streets, gutters, and back alleys.
Storage containers in most establishments are inadequate and poorly maintained, leading to spillage before collection. These challenges indicate that the current waste management system is unable to effectively handle the volume of waste generated. Hence, this study aims to determine the major factors leading to the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste within Eldoret’s CBD.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General Objective

To identify and analyze the major factors contributing to the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste in Eldoret Central Business District.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

To identify the types of solid waste generated by different business enterprises.
To examine how and where business owners dispose of their waste.
To assess the role of the Municipal Council of Eldoret in managing solid waste.
To recommend practical measures for improving waste management within the CBD.

1.4 Study Hypotheses

The study will be guided by the following hypotheses:

Most business premises lack proper solid waste receptacles.
Waste generated within the CBD is not recycled at the source.
The Municipal Council of Eldoret does not provide adequate waste collection services in the CBD.

1.5 Justification of the Study

Improper solid waste management poses significant environmental and health risks, including air, soil, and water pollution, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. Although local authorities are legally responsible for waste management, their efforts are often hindered by inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, weak legislation, and insufficient technical capacity.
Rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles in Eldoret—characterized by increased use of packaged goods and disposable items—have further complicated waste management efforts. If the current situation persists, Eldoret may face escalating public health challenges, including outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and dysentery.
This study is therefore essential in identifying the causes of poor waste disposal practices and providing recommendations to help the Municipal Council of Eldoret improve its waste management strategies.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will help identify the underlying causes of indiscriminate waste disposal in Eldoret’s CBD and propose effective strategies for improving waste management. The results will be useful to:

The Municipal Council of Eldoret, for policy formulation and operational improvement.
Environmental planners and policymakers, as reference material for urban waste management strategies.
Researchers and educators, as a basis for future studies, workshops, and public awareness campaigns on sustainable waste management.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

This study may face limitations beyond the researcher’s control, including:

Respondent bias, where participants may provide socially desirable answers.
Limited geographical scope, as the study focuses only on Eldoret CBD, making generalization to other towns difficult.
Dependence on self-reported data, which may not fully reflect actual waste management practices.

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter reviews previous studies, reports, and relevant literature on solid waste management and the factors contributing to indiscriminate waste disposal in urban areas. It explores global, regional, and local perspectives, focusing on definitions, sources, impacts, and management approaches.

2.2 Definition and Nature of Solid Waste

Solid waste refers to any unwanted, discarded, or useless material resulting from human or industrial activities. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2005), solid waste includes household refuse, commercial waste, institutional waste, street sweepings, and industrial residues. The composition of waste varies according to consumption patterns, technological development, and economic activities within a society.
In developing nations, solid waste is often characterized by high organic content and limited recyclables, whereas in developed countries, plastics, metals, and packaging materials form a large proportion of waste.

2.3 Sources of Solid Waste

Solid waste is generated from multiple sources including:

Residential areas – food remains, plastics, papers, and packaging materials.
Commercial and business premises – cartons, polythene bags, bottles, and disposable containers.
Institutions – paper waste, plastics, and cafeteria waste.
Industrial sectors – metals, rubber, and non-biodegradable materials.
Hospitals – medical waste such as syringes, gloves, and used bandages.
Construction sites – concrete debris, sand, and timber offcuts.

These sources collectively contribute to the growing challenge of managing solid waste within rapidly urbanizing environments such as Eldoret.

2.4 Solid Waste Management in Urban Areas

Solid waste management (SWM) encompasses the collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal of waste materials in a manner that safeguards public health and the environment. According to Schubeler (1996), effective waste management involves an integrated approach that combines policy development, community participation, and technical efficiency.

In Kenya, SWM is guided by the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA, 1999) and the Waste Management Regulations (2006), which require every local authority to provide proper waste collection and disposal facilities. However, poor enforcement of these laws and inadequate funding continue to undermine municipal waste management systems.

2.5 Factors Influencing Indiscriminate Waste Disposal

Several factors contribute to poor waste disposal practices in urban areas:

Population Growth and Urbanization – Rapid urban expansion has led to higher waste generation without corresponding improvement in collection infrastructure.
Lack of Public Awareness – Many residents lack education on proper waste handling, leading to careless dumping in open spaces and drainage systems.
Inadequate Infrastructure – Municipalities often lack sufficient waste bins, trucks, and designated dumping sites.
Weak Institutional Capacity – Inefficient coordination among local authorities, lack of accountability, and poor planning reduce waste collection efficiency.
Negative Attitudes and Cultural Practices – Some individuals perceive waste disposal as solely the government’s responsibility, leading to public apathy.
Economic Constraints – Low income levels discourage residents from paying for waste collection services, resulting in illegal dumping.
Poor Enforcement of Environmental Laws – Failure to impose fines or penalties allows careless dumping to persist.

These factors collectively create an environment where waste accumulates in streets, open drains, and water channels, especially in busy commercial zones like Eldoret’s CBD.

2.6 Environmental and Health Implications of Poor Waste Disposal

Improper waste management has severe environmental and health consequences:

Air pollution from burning waste releases toxic gases.
Water contamination occurs when leachate infiltrates groundwater or nearby streams.
Soil degradation reduces agricultural productivity.
Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, cholera, and typhoid spread through stagnant water and decomposing waste.
Aesthetic degradation discourages tourism and investment.

According to WHO (2010), nearly 80% of urban diseases in developing countries are linked to poor environmental sanitation, including improper waste disposal.

2.7 Waste Management Practices in Kenya

In Kenya, waste management services are primarily the responsibility of county governments. However, most local authorities struggle with limited resources, poor planning, and outdated equipment. Studies conducted in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa (NEMA, 2016) show that only 45–60% of generated waste is collected. The rest accumulates in illegal dumpsites or along roadsides.

Eldoret, as a fast-growing urban center, faces similar challenges. The lack of an integrated waste management system, weak public participation, and inadequate facilities have contributed to the indiscriminate dumping observed in the CBD.

2.8 Conceptual Framework

The study assumes that indiscriminate dumping of solid waste is a result of multiple interacting factors—social, economic, institutional, and infrastructural.

Independent Variables:

Population growth
Public awareness levels
Availability of waste facilities
Municipal efficiency
Law enforcement

Dependent Variable:

Level of indiscriminate waste dumping in Eldoret CBD

The conceptual framework highlights how these factors influence waste management outcomes within the study area.

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter outlines the methods and procedures used to collect and analyze data on the factors influencing indiscriminate waste dumping in Eldoret’s Central Business District. It includes the research design, study area, population, sampling methods, data collection techniques, and data analysis procedures.

3.2 Research Design

A descriptive survey design will be used in this study. This design is suitable for gathering information on people’s opinions, attitudes, and behaviors concerning waste disposal practices. It allows the researcher to describe existing conditions and identify relationships between variables without manipulating them.

3.3 Study Area

The study will be conducted in Eldoret Central Business District (CBD), located within Uasin Gishu County in western Kenya. Eldoret is one of Kenya’s fastest-growing towns, with a population exceeding 475,000 (KNBS, 2019). The CBD is characterized by a high concentration of commercial activities, including markets, shops, restaurants, and offices—all major generators of solid waste.

3.4 Target Population

The target population comprises business owners, workers, street vendors, and municipal waste management staff operating within the CBD. These groups are directly involved in or affected by waste generation and disposal activities.

3.5 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size

A combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques will be employed.

Purposive sampling will be used to select key informants such as municipal officers and environmental health officers.
Simple random sampling will be applied to select business operators and residents to ensure representation from various sectors.

The sample size will be determined using Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) formula, ensuring adequate representation and statistical reliability.

3.6 Data Collection Methods

Both primary and secondary data will be used.

Primary data will be collected using structured questionnaires, personal interviews, and field observations.
Secondary data will be obtained from published materials, environmental reports, government documents, and previous research studies.

Photographs and field notes will also be used to record physical evidence of waste disposal practices.

3.7 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, and means will be used to summarize the data. Results will be presented in tables, charts, and graphs. Qualitative data from interviews and observations will be analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and explanations.

3.8 Ethical Considerations

To ensure ethical integrity, respondents will be informed of the study’s purpose and assured of confidentiality. Participation will be voluntary, and data will be used solely for academic and research purposes.

3.9 Limitations of the Methodology

Potential limitations include:

Non-response or incomplete questionnaires.
Difficulty in obtaining accurate information from busy respondents.
Limited access to municipal waste management records.

Despite these challenges, triangulation of data sources will enhance the reliability and validity of the findings.

Environmental Science and Environmental Social Impact Assessment and Audit (EIA / EA)

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