Urban Environmental Management: A Case Study Of The Kariobangi Slum, Nairobi City Council, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Building strong partnerships with urban authorities can enhance development and

environmental conservation. The purpose of the study was to establish persistent

environmental concerns in the study area and try to understand how the community is addressing them. A qualitative approach was used involving use of questionnaires,

interviews, FGDs and PRA tools to gather primary data, while reference to relevant

literature provided secondary data. Key informants for the study included; leaders of

CBOs, CBGs, NGOs and Local government department heads.

The study revealed that solid wastes, diseases and poverty were still persistent

environmental issues in the slum. The three main concerns are linked in a way. The solid wastes can enhance disease, while poverty can deter effective urban environmental recovery. The study notes that poverty may not be the ultimate root cause of environmental degradation, and considers the strength of partnerships in the slums. These partnerships are weak due to the nature of organizational structures of the groups, heterogeneity within the community, land tenure ship type and the transient nature of these communities. The study makes a number of recommendations which are based on making stronger

ties within the slum community. It emphasizes addressing the community groups and

organizations in Kariobangi as a focal point in conservation. Sensitization,

empowerment, planning, implementation and monitoring, should be left to these partners in development and conservation.