Factors influencing citizens’ participation in taking environmental enforcement actions in Kenya: a case of Mombasa Island, Mombasa County

Abstract

Most governments have made efforts to legislate laws to curb environmental degradation. However, the level of enforcement has not brought any changes towards a clean and healthy environment for citizens. This situation is not different for Mombasa and citizens have to contend with air, water and land pollution. Thus, the purpose of this study is to establish factors influencing citizens‟ participation in environmental enforcement in Kenya, a case of Mombasa Island. Kenya. The study sought to determine: whether legislative factors influence citizen participation; the influence of political factors in citizen‟s participation; the influence of environmental awareness and citizens‟ participation; the influence of access to information and citizens‟ participation and influence of socio-economic factors and citizens‟ participation in Mombasa Island, Mombasa county. This study used descriptive survey design which employed questionnaire interview schedules as the data collection instruments. The data was then analysed using Statistical Programme for Social Scientists (SPSS) and excel spreadsheet and the findings presented in tables. The study has established that legislative factors, political factors, environmental awareness amongst the citizens, access to information and socio-economic factors are key determinants to the participation of the citizens in enforcement. The study has therefore recommended for further studies on effects of uncollected garbage and pollution.