Domestic Solid Waste Management in Gitothua Ward of Ruiru, Kiambu County

Abstract

Solid waste management may be defined as that displine associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing and disposal of solid waste in a manner that is friendly to the envionment and human health. In Gitothua residential area poor solid waste management is significant where heaps of solid wastes are seen in open space, outside houses and in open drainage. This leads to breeding sites of insects and other vermin which can eventually lead to outbreak of communicable diseases. The Gitothua ward is divided into five villages namely; Gitothua, Membley, Mukuyu, Tatu and BTL. The approximate population of Gitothua is 18,083 with an approximately 5006 households. Some wards in Ruiru, Gitothua being one of them do not receive services from the county government regularly leading to accumulation of wastes in the open spaces. The main objective of the study was to examine the management of domestic solid waste in the Gitothua ward. The study design used was cross sectional study with a sample size of 370. Sampling technique used was systematic sampling where a list of household was obtained with the assistance of sub county statistical officer, Thika. The study subjects were the adults in the households who were willing to participate in the research. The data was collected by a structured questionnaire and observations. The data was analysed using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and then presented using tables, pie charts and graphs. Photographs were taken where necessary during data collection. The study findings indicated the main types of solid waste generated in Gitothua were food remains, plastic and polythene papers wastes. Most of the respondents (62%) were not separating the waste, 50% of the respondent indicated that their waste was never collected while only 35% used county services for collection of their waste. 55% of the respondents are used to dumping their waste in the open spaces as a means of disposal. According to the results, 76% were not aware of reduce, reuse and recycle principal of solid waste management. 75% knew the meaning of solid waste while 86% of them were aware of the negative impact of poor solid waste management. The results indicated that age and family size were factors associated with solid waste xvi management practices. While family size of three people was compliant to solid waste management compared to a lesser family size (p=0.000). Frequency of solid waste collection by the county government was irregular in the whole study area where in some areas collecton is done weekly and others is not collected at all. The results showed the laxicity of the county goverment in providing services such us provision of dust bin, irregular garbage collection and few garbage collection vehicles as the factors associated with poor domestic sold waste management in the study area.The county goverment should conduct seminars in Gitothua to educate residents on proper solid waste management. Provision of standard storage receptacles and addation of transportation vehicles is recommended.