Factors influencing sustainability of solid waste management program: a case of Uasin Gishu county, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess existing solid waste management practices in Uasin Gishu County with the aim of examining the main factors influencing sustainability of solid waste management program in the county. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population was one hundred and thirty (130) respondents. To get the sample, the researcher used the Krejcie and Morgan sample size table to select ninety seven (97) respondents. The research instrument for collecting data was a structured questionnaire. Data in this study was analyzed descriptively using arithmetic mean and standard deviation with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Excel. Data was displayed in table format. The findings indicated that what influenced how the nature of solid waste treatment influences waste management programs majorly was the availability of treatment with an average mean of (3.1829) which influenced revenue generated from the waste and availability of treatment influences the frequency of collecting waste. Findings also indicated that what influenced how Form of waste disposal used by the county government had on waste management majorly was that Land filling of waste disposed at an average mean of (4.5122) which influenced cost of receiving waste and revenue generated from waste. Capacity of infrastructure influenced solid waste management program majorly through the availability of infrastructure with an average mean of (3.7764) which influenced frequency of collecting waste and revenue generated from waste. The findings also indicated that what influenced the way planning process influences solid waste management program majorly was the existence of plans with an average mean of (4.252) which influenced revenue generated from solid waste and existence of plans also influenced frequency of collecting solid waste. It was recommended that counties should invest in infrastructural capacity, diversify form of waste disposal and invest in nature of treatment for solid waste management and enhance planning in waste management program.