Determinants of solid waste management in urban centres: case of Narok town, Narok county Kenya

Abstract

In a developing country like Kenya, the problems associated with solid waste management are more acute than in a developed country (Zerbock, 2013). Lack of financial resources and infrastructure to deal with solid waste creates a vicious cycle; lack of resources leads to low quality of service provision which leads to fewer people willing to pay for the services, which in turn further erodes the resource base and so on. Despite the Local County Government effort to clean up the Town of Narok, the solid waste accumulation situation in the residential and entire town continues to worsen day after day. The purpose of the study is to determine factors influencing good practices in solid waste management in urban centers in reference to Narok Town, Narok County. The objectives of the study are; to assess the influence of Technical factors on solid waste management in Narok Town, Narok County, to explore resources available for solid waste management in Narok Town, Narok County, to investigate the influence of enforcement of county by-laws on solid waste management in Narok Town, Narok County, and to establish the influence of public participation on solid waste management in Narok Town, Narok County and The target population was employees working in Narok Town, County offices and businessmen in the town. A sampling 95 out of the total number of 120 employees was picked. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and secondary data from research projects, internet, journals and books. The study found out that majority of the respondents 72% were in agreement that resource availability influenced solid waste management while 28% were not in. The study also concludes thatmajority of the respondents68% were in agreement that technical skills influence solid waste management while minority 32% disagreed. Additionally, the study concludes that majority of the respondents 68% were in agreement that county by-laws influenced solid waste management practice while 32% were not in agreement. The study recommends that national government should ensure ample budgetary allocation of funds for the purpose of waste management and put up an appropriate structure to guide the activities of each county in the management of solid wastes. Narok County needs to improve waste collection system by providing man power, enough vehicles to ease garbage collection. This research recommends that existing by laws should be strictly enforced in all areas of the municipality and new ones formulated to cope with changing times for example formulation of municipal policy. The study recommends that Narok County should provide financial and physical capacity county agencies and other players involved in waste collection for effective and efficient waste management practices in county, the research recommends that existing by laws should be strictly enforced in all areas of the municipality and new ones formulated to cope with changing times for example formulation of municipal policy