Community involvement in domestic Solid waste management: A case study On Kayole environmental management Association

Abstract

According to estimates, Nairobi, the capital of Kenya has a population of approximately 3 million and is one of the most densely populated cities in East Africa with over 2900 persons per square kilometre. Nairobi is estimated to have a solid waste generation rate of over 1600 tons per day. In Kenya, the collection, administration and enforcement of solid waste has been the responsibility of the city and municipal councils which are run by the local government. It is estimated that 20-40% of Nairobi's solid waste is collected per day leaving a 60-80% collection deficit. Of the amount collected, it is unknown what percentage finds its way to designated dumpsites. The NCC's Environment Department is hindered by a small staff and extremely limited financial resources and the waste trucks are regularly down for repairs rendering them unable to collect waste consistently. <- Private companies began performing solid waste collections during the past 14 years. Presently, industry sources estimate that there a~e about 500 private companies involved in waste haulage within Nairobi, consisting primarily of single truck operators. These private waste collectors mainly collect waste from certain industries, commercial VI premises and private homes on a commercial basis. The three largest solid waste management firms are BINS, Kenya Refuse Handlers and Domestic Refuse Disposal. These three firms offer selective waste collection and disposal services relying mainly on dumping with very limited incineration and consulting services. This project focuses on waste disposal issues in a low-income area, Kayole-Soweto, which receives minimal waste services from the NCC. As the issue of low-income waste collection has not been addressed, neither has there been any solid waste policy developed in Kenya, we will be examining the waste disposal habits of the residents of Kayole-Soweto and providing recommendations with an emphasis on waste minimisation through recycling and reusing and the involvement of community based organisations that link income generation to environmental protection.