Solid Waste Management in Urban Areas Kenya: A case study of Lamu Town

Abstract

This study set out to establish the actual state of waste management in lamu town, outline success areas and possible barriers to waste management and ultimately propose measures to be undertaken in order to remove those barriers to enhance sustainable waste management in urban areas. The work focuses on types and methods of solid waste management and looks at real impacts of haphazard waste management both on land and water. The work was undertaken by administering a questionnaire, focused group discussions and observations. Reference was drawn from case studies in other urban areas in developing countries as well as Kenya. Qualitative data was collected, analyzed and results presented using graphs, tables, photographs and statements. The study found out that, unlike other urban areas where there is door to door collection of waste, it did not happen in Lamu town. However, it was noted that, despite lack of door to door collection of waste, only a little was visible in the environment Tourists and investors from the hinterland contributed significantly to the problem of waste. It emerged that presence of waste in the environment affected cost of land and housing negatively. This had a negative impact on the incomes of the property owners. Whereas presence of animals/donkeys contributed to the problem of waste management through their droppings on the streets, they also ate a huge amount of edible municipal and household organic waste, reducing the amounts going to the dumpsite. Even though legislation was in place, there were inadequate enforcement plans in place to ensure compliance The study recommended enactment of County Laws to compel dwellers separate waste at source and get involved in waste management cycle, investing in technologies for energy recovery from waste, covering of open trenches in Lamu town as well as coming up with measures to deal with plastic waste which had become a nightmare in town. The study suggested further research on the interrelationships between donkeys, people and waste management in Lamu, role of animals in Waste management in urban areas as well as the impacts of the National Museums and cultural Act 2006 on the social and economic development of Lamu town