MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN WASTE IN THE INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF ELDORET MUNICIPALITY, KENYA: AN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

In Kenya, there is current problem of rural urban migration that put immense pressure on the existing resources in the urban sector. Consequently most urban dwellers live in informal settlements. Heaps of garbage is a common phenomenon in settlements in most Kenyan towns, Eldoret town is not an exception. In most cases, uncollected wastes, which are often mixed with human and animal excreta, are dumped indiscriminately in the streets and drains. Despite the far reaching consequences that arise from poor management of human waste, it is of concern that currently, there are no serious efforts to address the situation. Thus, this study sought to assess the human waste management systems in the informal settlements using Munyaka and Langas in Eldoret Town as a case study. Qualitative research design was used and a total of 384 respondents were selected in two settlements with Munyaka having 127and Langas 257respectively. The households in the informal settlements were sampled using systematic random sampling while handlers of human waste and key informants were sampled using purposive sampling technique. The methods of data collection used included personal interviews, questionnaires, observation, photography and review of related literature. Data was analysed qualitatively and presented using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions and cross tabulations and conclusions drawn from the analysis. The results indicate that majority of the residents in both the settlements lived in rented houses. There was poor excreta disposal in both the settlements areas with over 50% of the respondents not accessible to piped water or experienced irregular water supply which meant that they would find it difficult to use sewer lines as a form of human waste disposal. The study revealed that the main facility used by residents for human waste disposal in the settlements was pit latrines which were poorly constructed not properly maintained and many were constructed near water sources mainly wells and boreholes. Some of the facilities were full and thus discharged their affluent into the environment. The study recommended that with the help of Municipal Council of Eldoret, households in Langas to be encouraged to connect to existing sewer wherever possible. Urine diversion toilets be introduced in the plots bordering farmland in Langas with a view of using urine as fertilizer. Furthermore there is need to exploit the production of biogas. It was also recommended that properly designed and constructed pit latrines, in accordance to health and environmental standards, be used in the informal settlements.