Solid waste service delivery in Nairobi low income settlements

Abstract

This report is a study of solid waste service delivery in low-income areas in Nairobi. Solid waste management in low-income areas has received little or no attention from the Nairobi City Council. Limited resources have been cited as the major reason but there are other reasons as well. This study was set out to investigate the actual problems and constraints surrounding the issue and suggest appropriate solutions to the same. Consequently, the study looks at the present solid waste management practices in the city and especially in the low-income areas. The problem of solid waste management in low-income areas is made evident by the heaps of garbage that occupy all open spaces between houses and on road reserves. Although there is inadequate infrastructure in low- V / income areas and especially the unplanned settlements, it is not the only reason for poor solid waste service delivery in the area. Limited finances, inadequate storage and collection equipment, poor institutional management, lack of community participation and awareness are some of the other problems. This study has found out that apart from the problems mentioned above, lack of economic and political influence has contributed to the marginalization of low-income areas. Also the fact that (IV) very little economic value is attached to solid waste in general no much effort has been put by either the local authority, the NGO's and the community to improve the situation. This study has attempted to highlight the actual situation in low-income areas and has suggested ways and means of improving the situation. To do so the work is organized into six chapters. Chapter one which is the introduction considers the problems of solid waste service delivery in low-income areas and presents the study objective, assumptions and methodology. Chapter two focuses on the general information on solid waste problems and solutions both in developed and developing countries. The chapter concludes by looking at the literature on solid waste problems in Kenyan context. Chapter three focuses on present administration and management of solid waste in Nairobi. Chapter four and y chapter five are on data analysis and synthesis," whereas chapter six contains the suggested solutions to solid waste service delivery to low-income areas.