Application of total quality management (TQM) tools to solid waste management the case of Mombasa Municipal council

Abstract

Today's globalized economy is fueled by competition. The firm/country with competitive advantage is the one that carries home the economic trophy. We have witnessed countries vying to host world events such as the Olympics and World Cup. South Africa won the bid to host 2010 world cup and so did Britain the 2008 Olympics. They won not only by the support of other countries, but because they presented a structurally fit environment suitable to host the games e.g., a working modern infrastructure, world-class tourist destinations and working systems.It is the researcher's belief that the most critical underlying factor of the success of these two nations is how well they have managed their solid waste. Nairobi has been fortunate to host two major events. Mombasa will be hosting World Marathon Championships scheduled for 24th March 2007.As per the research. it is possible for the town to regain its lost glory by embarking on a serious campaign to rid itself of garbage. The research focused on the operations of the MMCCD. The researcher sought to find out the reasons behind the dirty state of the town, paying attention to unswept streets and waste from estates. Questionnaires were distributed randomly to the four sections that made up the town. The objective of the research was to highlight by LIse of TQM tools the performance gaps in management and sweepers at the MMCCD and to recommend TQM practices that if implemented, would see an end to inefficient practice. The response rate was on average 80cYa. The study revealed that the key causes of non-perforrnance at the MMCCD were bureaucracy and politics at management level, which had a domino effect - of laxity in sweepers. This presented itself through unswept streets, uncollected garbage along the roads and in the estates. The research shows that should the recommendations be implemented, Mombasa will competitively vie and have high chances of winning bids to host major world events. By cutting down on the bureaucracy as demonstrated in the flowcharts and there being room for the supervisors to exercise their authority, work will be done. The major demotivator amongst the 'sweepers was lack of prompt pay for services rendered, non-availability of working tools and v protective gadgets. If these were provided on time, work would be done. Amongst the community, there were such suggestions for the council as; • leadership must admit that a serious problem exists and that it is affecting performance of cleaners/sweepers • In the short-run, the department must be overhauled including retraining and recruitment of staff at all levels • In the medium term the Council's functions should be zoned and contracted to outside organizations on a competitive basis • there should be workshops by the council for its residents on good waste management The reason to the sorry state of the town that came out clearly amongst households was laxity amongst council sweepers at 19.2% followed closely at 19% by poor planning by the Council. Of the numerous challenges brought up by members of the public, as to what the council should do to restore sanity in the solid waste management exercise, was to create awareness amongst all stakeholders on the best ways to handle waste. This factor was brought up by 27.8% of those interviewed.