Thesis:

Factors influencing solid waste management in Thika sub county, Kiambu county, Kenya

Solid waste is an issue that has attracted global attention as it has significant effects on public health. It is a global threat, and challenges associated with its management include; increased generation of solid waste associated with accelerated industrialization, urbanization, and urban poverty. The expansion in populace, development of economies, income variations, industrialization, and urbanization are all associated with the increase in the solid waste generation. The main objective of the study was the factors influencing solid waste management in Thika Sub- County. The objective of the study was to elucidate the factors influencing solid waste management in Thika Municipality. The study applied analytical cross-sectional, study design. The study location was Thika Municipality, Kiambu County in Central Kenya. The target population was 42,341 households who were either men or women (household heads) from Hospital, Kamenu, and Township Wards and Environmental officers from Thika Municipal Council. The sample size for the household was 396 households and 2 Municipal Council staff. A semi-structured questionnaire aided to gather quantitative data, while an interview guide was used to gather qualitative data. SPSS – Version 26 computer software facilitated data analysis. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables where variables with p- values of ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A qualitative data inductive approach was used; using research questions as a guide for data analysis. According to this research, majority 67.3% of this study participants were males, while 32.7% were females. The study respondents, 64.6% had secondary level of education. Food remains were 80.4% generated type of waste. In this study, participants 65.1% of the participants did not segregate waste while 34.1% segregated waste. The study further revealed that, 88.7% participants' practiced inappropriate SWM practices. There was a statistical association between respondents' level of education and SWM practices (Fisher’s exact p=0.017). There was no statistical association between gender and solid waste management (X20.603, df=1, p=0.437)) as per the results. The research established that, socio- economic factors were significantly associated with solid waste practices in Thika Sub- county. The level of stakeholder engagement was high 56.6 % and improved solid waste management that was linked to better adoption of good SWM capabilities. The extent of the public taking part in Solid Waste Management was low in the study area. The study concluded that, socio- economic situation influenced solid waste management. Aspect like education level, area of residence, monthly income, and duration lived in the study area were associated to practices of SWM. The study recommends for promotion of tertiary education among the youths, as they seem to earn low income due to low level of education, community to be engaged as stakeholders in solid waste management, for appropriate management of waste among the community and special programs that would target the community to own solid waste management and hence participate and practice appropriate solid waste management.