Assessing The Impact Of Solid Waste On Human Health A Case Study Of Pondamali Slum In Nakuru District, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Jlid waste management in the world over has proven to be a challenge, developing countries

ke the lead in poor solid waste management, this could be attributed to a number of factors

hich include lack of capacity either financially or infrastructure, and this has contributed

irgely to the deterioration of health standards of the poor who live in slum areas. A study on

,sessing the impacts of solid waste management on the human health was carried out in

ondamali Slum, Nakuru district Kenya .This research sought to answer questions on solid waste

enerated by the residents, health effect caused by the poor disposal of waste, the efforts of local

esidents to handle the problem of poor solid waste management and the measures that can be

,ut in place to control the problem of poor solid waste management in the slum

['o investigate the above variables a general survey research design was used. Data collection

ools included interview, photography, observation, literature review and questionnaire.

:nterviews were carried out to the various groups in Pondamali slum and its nearest environs;

?hotography was used to capture visual data of various parts of the slum and its environs,

available literature was also reviewed on the effect of poor slid waste disposal on human health.

Questionnaires to describe the effects of poor solid waste disposal on the human health were also

distributed, to get greater depth of response.

This research reveals the effects of poor disposal of wastes on the general human health and

further highlights the highest source of solid waste in Pondamali. The major impacts of poor

disposal of wastes in the area as the study identified were diseases, bad odor and blockage of

drainage systems. This research established what has been done to protect human health through

community participation, setting up of policies and laws together with recycling of wastes.

The study came up with recommendations that must be put in place in order to manage wastes.

They included raising awareness of the public and decision makers, developing self financing schemes, supporting strategic planning and follow up implementation, developing human resources, community participation and defining clear roles of relevant agencies in developing countries.