The present and future status of municipal solid waste management in Nairobi

Abstract

Over the years, the quality of social services rendered by the Nairobi City Council (NCC) have gradually been deteriorating, particularly management of domestic solid waste. Despite the fact that residents pay for the services and have continually complained, haphazard heaps of uncollected garbage are noticeable at the doorsteps and along the streets. A study was carried out with a view to establishing the factors conducive to this problem. A sample of 662 Nairobi residents and technical staff of NCC were interviewed in March and April 1994. Overall, 90% of the households were not provided with the NCC waste storage bins nor was the waste collected regularly from the point of generation. The respondents offered several reasons which they suggested were contributing factors to the poor management of solid waste. However, based on their suggestions and the technical staff in charge of the NCC Cleansing Section, poor management of resources by NCC, lack of strong leadership, inadequately skilled technical staff, demotivated workers and lack of involvement of the residents were the major contributing factors. In order to alleviate the problem, transparency in resources accountability and the involvement of the residents were highly recommended by the respondents.