Factors influencing management of hazardous solid waste in Obunga and Migosi residential areas i Kisumu county , Kenya

Abstract

Hazardous-solid waste management, (HSWM) is the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste material that, when improperly handled, can cause substantial harm to human health and safety or to the environment. The main purpose of the study was to assess the selected factors influencing management of hazardous solid waste in Obunga and Migosi estates in Kisumu County, Kenya that was guided by the following specific objectives: (i) To find out the influence of knowledge on the HSWM (ii) To determine the influence of socioeconomic factors on the HSWM (iii) To establish the influence of social institutions on the HSWM and (iv) To examine the influence of infrastructure on the HSWM and (v) to determine the combined influence of the independent variables on the management of hazardous solid waste. The study used descriptive research design. The target populations of the study was the residents of Obunga and Migosi estates living in 1637 households. A stratified random sample of 326 households were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive (means, standard deviation and frequency distribution) and inferential (regression) statistics were used to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that the households’ management of hazardous solid waste was low (Mean of 1.71 on a scale of 1 to 5). Household heads’ knowledge of waste management was high (mean of 3.60 on a scale of 1 to 5). The management of hazardous solid waste in the study area was statistically significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by household heads’ knowledge (β=0.796, t(325)=14.45, p <0.001), socio-economic factors (β=0.718, t(325)=11.53, p <0.001), social institutions dealing with solid waste management (β=0.774, t(325)=13.45, p <0.001), and infrastructure involved in solid waste management (β=0.754, t(325)=16.35, p <0.001). The combined model showed that infrastructure (β=0.378) was the most important variable followed by socio-economic factors (β = 0.355), knowledge (β=0.288, and finally social institutions (β=0.224). The social institutions dealing with waste management were found to be overcharging the residents and finally it was established that infrastructure was a major challenge to proper waste management in the region since the County did not a proper dump site and lacked equipment for handling wastes. The study therefore recommends the following: all the stakeholders (county government, the non-government agencies on environment and the local residents involved in the management of wastes) to try and create proper awareness of the dangers of hazardous solid wastes to the community and the environment, train households on proper handling of wastes (separation of wastes, storage, treatment and disposal), creation of public private partnerships that will deal with waste management at a lower cost. Finally, the study recommends for further studies on hazardous liquid waste such as sewer system, overflowing septic tanks and oil spills from the oil depots at the port area.