Bridging Weak Links of Solid Waste Management in Informal Settlements

Abstract

Many cities in the global South suffer from vast inadequacies and deficiencies in their solid waste management. In the city of Kisumu in Kenya, waste management is fragmented and insufficient with most household waste remaining uncollected. Solid waste enters and leaves public space through an intricate web of connected, mostly informal, actions. This article scrutinizes waste management of informal settlements, based on the case of Kisumu, to identify weak links in waste management chains and find neighborhood responses to bridge these gaps. Systems theory and action net theory support our analysis to understand the actions, actors, and processes associated with waste and its management. We use qualitative data from fieldwork and hands on engagement in waste management in Kisumu. Our main conclusion is that new waste initiatives should build on existing waste management practices already being performed within informal settlements by waste scavengers, waste pickers, waste entrepreneurs, and community-based organizations.

Translating Policies into Informal Settlements' Critical Services: Reframing, Anchoring and Muddling Through

“…Although there is a lack of reliable data, our field studies (Gutberlet et. al., 2016) demonstrated how SWM in Kisumu continues to suffer from weak finances, feeble political and institutional support, poor community attitudes and lack of a systematic approach as was observed already in 2008 (Onyango and Kibwage, ).…”

“…The result is a massive accumulation of waste on foot paths and empty lots, in drains, along roadsides and at the locations where the waste skips used to be located when still operated through KISWAMP. However, services of small private entrepreneurs are gaining ground also in the informal settlements among those households that can afford a small fee for collection (Gutberlet et. al., 2016).…”

Urban Food Systems Governance and Poverty in African Cities

“…Today, Kisumu is home to a population of about 500 000 and had an estimated growth rate of 2.8% per year in 2006 (Geissler 2013;UN-Habitat 2006). It is the third largest city in Kenya (after Nairobi and Mombasa), and is one of Kenya's fastest growing cities (Gutberlet et al 2017). Population figures are somewhat speculative, particularly since the redrawing of Kisumu's census areas.…”

“…Observations indicated that solid waste management is a pressing issue and a significant environmental and public health challenge in all the case study cities. In Kisumu and Kitwe, only 20-25% of the waste generated is adequately collected and properly disposed of at landfills (Gutberlet et al 2017;Magezi 2015). These waste collection services are provided by both the government and the private sector and mostly concentrated in middle-and highincome areas (Gutberlet et al 2017;Magezi 2015).…”

“…In Kisumu and Kitwe, only 20-25% of the waste generated is adequately collected and properly disposed of at landfills (Gutberlet et al 2017;Magezi 2015). These waste collection services are provided by both the government and the private sector and mostly concentrated in middle-and highincome areas (Gutberlet et al 2017;Magezi 2015). In Epworth, solid waste management is given low priority with very limited collection services by the Epworth local board.…”