Utilisation and Sustainability of Bio-centres in Kibera Slums, Nairobi County
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Date
2014-03-05
Authors
Kithandi, Rosinah Mbenya
Journal Title
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Abstract
Bio-centre technology has been applied i to counter the challenges of water and
sanitation resulting from high urban growth combined with urban sprawl of Kibera
slums. Despite bio-centres coming handy to solve water and sanitation problems, the
utilisation and sustainability of bio-centres is still wanting as human waste is still
evident as one traverses Kibera. Further, despite the inception of bio-centres in 2007
which have the potential of mitigating water and sanitation issues, their use is still low
within the populace. For example, from statistics it is estimated that only 2.35% of the
total population in Kibera use the bio-centres (WASH News Africa, 2009). The
objective of this study was therefore to examine the factors that determine utilisation
and sustainability of bio-centres in Kibera slums. A total of 143 respondents were
interviewed using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, 10 indepth
interviews were done to elicit a better understanding of the study objectives.
Besides, an environmental checklist was used by the researcher to collect data. Data
analysis was done using quantitative and qualitative methods so as to address the
objectives of the survey. Specifically, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
was used to analyse quantitative data while for qualitative data descriptive statistics of
means, percentages and frequencies was used to describe and summarize data.
Regression analysis (P<0.05, 95% Confidence level)was also employed to evaluate the
relationship between socio-cultural factors, economic factors, design and location of
the bio-centres on utilisation of bio-centre facilities in Kibera. The results of the
regression analysis indicated that the village of residence, duration of stay, knowledge
about bio-centre existence and the number of bio-centres were positively significance
(P<0.05, 95% confidence levels). The results of this research indicated that, despite 73
percent of the respondents having knowledge of the existence of the bio-centres in
Kibera, only 58 percent of the respondents have used the bio-centres while 42 percent
have never used any of the bio-centres. The results of the regression analysis (P<0.05,
95% Confidence level)implicated that, the use of bio-centre facilities in Kibera is not
dependent on household income but rather is dependent on the cost of the various biocentre
facilities namelybathroom, toilet, water, bio-gas and recreation facilities
(P<0.05, 95 confidence levels). The results showed a positive relationship between the
bio-centre closeness, cleanliness, safety to the bio-centres and the utilisation of biocentre
facilities by the respondents. In addition, the research found out the bio-centre
facility is unequally distributed and usually unaffordable thus hindering its sustainable
utilisation. This research therefore recommends that; Bio-centres should be well
distributed in Kibera for easy accessibility by all residents in the area. From the
research findings, despite the bio-centre facility being able to provide clean energy, the
bio-gas has received low usage by the residents. Further research should therefore
focus on how the bio-gas from the bio-centres can be stored or distributed to various
household so as to maximize its economic importance. Further, the cost of bio-centre
facilities should be further reduced to enhance affordability and sustainability.
Description
Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development, 2013