Role Of Stakeholders In Successful Solid Waste Management In Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Rapid population growth and urbanization has resulted to serious problem in SWM. This is due to indiscriminate disposal due to inadequate involvement of waste stakeholders, finances and human resources. The problem of concern is lack of synergy between various stakeholders in SWM who include: Central government, local authority, NGOs and landlords and the role they play in management of SWM. The study was conducted in Machakos County due to its strategic location and its status of being part of Nairobi Metropolitan Region. Specifically, Machakos County acts as a dormitory to residents most of whom work in Nairobi and Machakos town. Moreover, it has many industries which contribute to a lot of solid waste. Unfortunately, there has not been good management of the services due to inadequate stakeholder engagement in their respective roles within the framework. The following objectives we used to guide the study: the role of local authority engagement, landlords’ involvement, NGOs engagement and National government engagement in successful SWM. The method of the study adopted descriptive research design to evaluate various aspects under the objectives. A total population of 105 persons from households, markets, companies, local authority and National government were randomly sampled and interviewed. Likert scale questionnaires were used to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and presented in tables. From the results, it is evident that, although key stakeholders have been involved in SWM it is to an extent and therefore there potential has not been fully utilized meaning further involvement can yield more and excellent results. Therefore, the recommends that a clear strategy for engagement among the stakeholders, which include, creating awareness, training employees, coordination and knowledge sharing.