Assessment of Solid Waste Management at Wakulima Market in Nairobi City, Kenya

Abstract

The market place is one of the most important places where trade of goods occurs among the general public. Wakulima market is characterized by heaps of unattended sites of solid waste. Poor waste disposal practices have resulted in an unsightly and unsanitary market. The purpose of this study therefore was to assess solid waste management at Wakulima market in Nairobi City County. The overall objective of this thesis was to analyse the factors hindering effective solid waste management at Wakulima market. The research adopted a descriptive design and data was collected using preliminary field observations, face-to-face interviews and questionnaire survey. Data was collected from the sellers, buyers and other stakeholders in the market. Stratified sampling along products was used to interview 100 respondents from the market. Results of the study indicated that the factors hindering effective waste management at Wakulima market were: lack of enough skips for storage of waste (88%), lack of regular waste collection from the market (85%), poor waste management methods (74%) and lack of enough resources for institutions mandated to collect waste generated from the market (65%). From the findings, 78% of the respondents disposed their waste in undesignated areas such as near the roads, in drainage areas as well as leaving the waste in the market hall. Only 22% of the respondents placed their waste in skips and bins. Results indicated that most of solid waste in the market was organic according to 65% of the respondents which was followed by plastic bags at 27% and sacks at 8%. The study findings indicated that the methods of storage of produce left unsold in the market was a key determinant towards reducing waste at Wakulima market. The research recommendations include: need to supply enough bins and skips in the market, regular waste collection from the market of and incorporation of the Integrated Solid Waste Managemen