Norms, attitudes and gender perspectives in ecological sanitation

In Kenya, the urban poor are residing in the Peri urban areas of Nakuru Municipality with inadequate sanitation facilities. This study investigated attitudes towards urine diverting toilets to popularize their use as viable alternative sanitation. Face to face interviews among 231 household respondents using a semi structured questionnaire, field observations, focused group discussions and key informant interviews were performed. Most of the respondents reported that the ecosan toilets are a viable option due to congested housing pattern, desire to own a toilet (for those who never had a toilet before), geohydrological conditions, improved privacy, and convenience among other factors. Most respondents preferred squatting type of urine diverting toilet, and are willing to reuse sanitized urine and feacal matter. Among the challenges noted include forgetfulness by some people to spray ash after defecating, misplaced water entering the toilet vault during cleaning and confusion in using the two holes. The provision for squat hole covers; modification of design, commitment and household change of behaviors are fundamental for encouraging more adoption and replication of the toilets. The study recommends more sanitation is dignity awareness campaigns through social marketing of Urine diverting toilets to salvage available water for improved livelihoods

Challenges of sustainable financing of sanitation in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Adequate sanitation is of great importance in addressing public health and plays an important role with respect to poverty alleviation. A large proportion of population in Nakuru is not served with adequate sanitation facilities. Worldwide experiences on financing of sanitation are widely scattered, and influenced by very different local circumstances. Little, if any, real linkage and upscaling has taken place, to draw conclusions that would fit all circumstances. A study was conducted in Nakuru municipality using structured questionnaires. Results from the data analysis indicated that majority of the households interviewed had low monthly incomes ranging between Kshs. 500010000. Sanitation therefore was not a priority with this meager income. The finding indicated that the only way these residents were willing to contribute to sanitation would be in kind labour, 44%. Majority of Nakuru residents, 65% admitted that they don’t pay for garbage collection services, reason being that of poverty and the notion that this is the responsibility of the municipal council. On household improvement priority, many respondents, 35% would prefer to have water in their residence followed closely with sanitation. They argue that with water availability, sanitation is guaranteed. Potential financial constraints were identified as unwillingness and inability to pay due to poverty, lack of political will and poor governance and low priority for sanitation in public sector spending due to competing interest with other sectors such as health and education

Sanitation challenges in learning institutions: the case of Nakuru municipality, Kenya

While every aspect of human development is vital, perhaps none is as important as the provision and access to improved sustainable sanitation. Whereas, the learning institutions are at the heart of transforming the nation and must sensitize and enrich the minds of the citizens, most schools’ sanitation facilities has been found wanting. Since the introduction of free primary education in Kenya in 2003, school enrolment has risen to about 7.3 million. In 2008, free secondary education was introduced raising significantly enrolments in secondary schools. These efforts may not realize their ultimate goalmeeting the MDGs. School’s sanitation and hygiene have received the least attention in the allocations of monetary resources. Against this background, this research sought to establish and report on the actual status of the schools’ sanitation facilities, hygiene standards and behaviour in the schools within the periurban areas of Nakuru Municipality. Findings would in turn inform existing NGOs such as ROSA which aims at promoting resourceoriented sanitation concepts being an innovative, affordable, adaptable and replicable approach to sustainable sanitation

The linkage between settlement profile and choice of sanitation system in peri-urban areas: a case study of Nakuru municipality

Presently human settlements in developing societies do not effectively address problems in urban areas including inadequate housing, unreliable energy sources, inadequate water supply, poor sanitation systems and lack of access roads in informal settlements. Recently, Nakuru town water supply has been characterized by chronic shortages and this threatens sanitation in residential and industrial functions within the Municipality. “Flying toilets” and pit latrines are conspicuous in low income high density settlements, while flush toilets, sewer systems and septic tanks are common among middle and high income low density settlements. A study was carried out to assess and map linkages between sanitation technologies and settlements profile in the municipality and examine implications of resource-oriented sanitation technologies. Results showed that sanitation situation in low income settlements and choice of sanitation technology is limited to multi-factors. 70% of respondents indicated a strain economically as a determining factor in the choice of sanitation technology. The research recommended the adoption of ecological sanitation as a paradigm shift from conventional sanitation

Characterization of greywater from urban and peri-urban areas of Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Kenya faces serious challenges regarding water and sanitation services. Despite many years of government investment, existing facilities continue to deteriorate and have also failed to meet the demand of increasing population. These challenges are particularly severe in rapidly growing settlements of urban poor. One such settlement is Nakuru municipality which has an average annual population growth of about 8%. The municipality’s sewerage connection is inadequate (11% coverage) and only serves middle and high income areas. This study used a semi-structured questionnaire aiming at characterizing and determining the composition of greywater, besides identifying existing water supply and lifestyle characteristics