Determinants of Waste Management Programmes on Sustainable Environmental Conservation in Mukuru Slums in Kenya

Surging amounts of waste are reported globally and especially in lower-income countries, with negative consequences for health and the environment. Increasing concern has been raised for the limited progress achieved in practice by diverse sets of policies and programmes. Waste management is a wicked problem characterized by multilayered interdependencies, complex social dynamics and webs of stakeholders. Interactions among these generate unpredictable outcomes that can be missed by decision makers through their understanding and framing of their context. This study therefore aimed at unlocking the intrigues behind unending waste management concerns that have continued to bedevil Mukuru slums despite the interventions in place and to develop sustainable mechanisms to address the challenges. The study was descriptive in nature and tried to understand determinants of waste management towards attaining a sustainable environmental conservation. The study targeted key informants drawn from the Nairobi county department of environment, water and sanitation, civil society groups, NEMA and local provincial administration and community members in Mukuru slum. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the sample population for the study. Since the study used primary data, a well set of questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. The collected data was subjected to scrutiny through screening to ensure completeness and eliminate all the errors, before final analysis, aided by statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) software. Regression analysis was also performed to determine the relationship between the poverty, management capabilities, financial resources and regulatory policies on sustainable environmental conservation. Data presentation was achieved through tables, graphs and charts. Findings revealed that poverty level, financial resources, management capabilities, and regulatory policies have great influence on sustainable environmental conservation in Mukuru slums. Therefore, the study recommended for integrated waste management approach that is community centered to bring every community member on board and other key stakeholders. On financial resources, the study recommended for robust public-private sector partnership to build up financial capital necessary for management of waste menace and conserve the environment and allocation of more resources. There is a need for more trainings, and awareness creation and formulation of elaborate policies to create autonomy for NEMA to enable the organization implement and enforce its regulations effectively. The study outlined that further studies can be done on the impact of socio-demographic factors, household perceptions and attitudes on waste management and socio-economic factors on sustainable environmental conservation.