Factors Affecting the Use of Environmental Values and Ethics in Solid Waste Management in Nairobi County

Abstract

The Kenyan 2010 constitution guarantees clean and healthy environment which seems to be threatened daily by the increased solid waste generation and mushrooming of dumpsites. This has been contributed by people’s negative attitude towards waste management, which is a common habit in developing countries; resulting to illegal dumping and littering of waste in open spaces, drains and gutters, impacting negatively on the environment and human health. However, environmental governance in Kenya still lacks enforcement and empowerment at institutional and citizen levels to deal with solid waste management efficiently. This study sought to identify the factors that affect the use of environmental ethics and values in solid waste management. The research adopted a survey research design, the sample size included 385 household members from three main stratum namely: Kibera; Embakasi and Lavington. The data collection tool was a questionnaire. Stratified sampling procedure was used to arrive at the sample. Data collected using the questionnaires was fed in statistical package of social science (SPSS) version 20, coded, analyzed and summarized using tables and figures. The results showed the main factors that affected the use of Environmental Values and Ethics in Solid Waste Management in Nairobi City included: lack of proper enforcement of environmental values, ethics and structures of Solid Waste Management; lack of empowerment of environmental values, ethics and structures of Solid Waste Management and poor implementation of environmental values and ethics structures in Solid Waste Management. This study recommends that for there to be effective enforcement, empowerment and proper implementation of Environmental Solid Waste Management ethics and values, collective responsibility by stakeholders and inclusion of citizens is central.