Challenges and Interventions in Sanitation Management Approaches in Mavoko Municipality

Abstract

Proper urban sanitation management approaches are essential components in the realization of protected and conserved environment for sustainable development. Established sustainability criteria of population densities; climatic and geological conditions of areas; designs; operation and maintenance of these approaches were used in the study to gauge the contribution to sustainable development by interventions made in addressing challenges faced by sanitation management approaches used. The study site covered the urbanizing areas of Athi River, Katani, Kinanie, Mulolongo and Syokimau.  A cross sectional study design was adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data. 385 household Respondents were interviewed. Simple random and purposive sampling methods were used to administer questionnaires to standalone houses and comprehensive housing schemes.  Interviews with key informants from the County Government of Machakos, Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company (MAVWASCO) and Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) were conducted.  Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables, pie charts, line graphs and percentages.  A content analysis from qualitative data was used to develop thematic issues.  The study established that the soils and rock type in the study area pose major challenges to sanitation management approaches whereas interventions to address these challenges are not adequate to surmount them.  Poor sewerage network coverage, low levels of reuse of waste water, inadequate treatment of effluent in the oxidation ponds and the irreconcilable differences between the key service providers compromise the environment. Recommendations are made to the Government to prioritize investments in the water and sanitation sector and increase the area coverage under sewer network, promote separation of household and industrial waste water and educate the population to reuse waste water.   Mandates of the service providers should be clarified to play a complementary role to govern the water and sanitation sector effectively.

Keywords: Challenges and interventions, Mavoko, Sanitation criteria, Sanitation management approaches.