Influence Of Stakeholder Participation On Domestic Waste Management In Biashara Residential Area, Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Researchers have found that to achieve efficient and sustainable solid waste management, it is important to involve all stakeholders in the process. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of stakeholder participation on domestic waste management in Biashara residential area, Ruiru sub-county Kiambu County, Kenya. The study had the following objectives: To establish the influence of stakeholder participation strategies on domestic waste management, To determine the influence of stakeholder forums and communication practices on domestic waste management, and To examine the influence of stakeholder engagement frequency on domestic waste management. The study utilized cross-sectional descriptive research design and a sample of 383 respondents was utilized, data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides and analysis was done using SPSS version 23. The study established that majority of the residents (59%) are empowered to recycle and separate their waste and that there is a strong positive correlation between stakeholder’s empowerment to recycle their waste and improved DWM (r=0.539, n=342, p=0.01). On waste storage, the results indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between stakeholder consultations on appropriate waste storage techniques and improved DWM (r=0.328, n=342, p=0.01). In terms of waste collection, the study deduced that stakeholder negotiations are sometimes held to designate waste collection days and that there is a very strong and significant positive correlation between adherence to negotiated waste collection days and improved domestic waste management (r=0.838, n=342, p=0.01). On waste transport and disposal, the study established that, 38.6% and 42.7% of the respondents respectively agree that partner and tenant meetings are held. Additionally, the study deduced that there is a significant strong positive correlation between adequacy of partner meetings and improved DWM (r=0.491, n=342, p= 0.01) and a significant moderate positive correlation between the adequacy of tenant meetings and the improvement of DWM (r=0.317, n=342, p=0.01). Finally, the study determined that there is no significant correlation between stakeholder engagements carried out multiple times a year and improved DWM and that the correlation that exists is negative (r= -0.077, n=342, p=0.157) while there is a mild and significant positive relationship between stakeholder engagements carried out annually and improved DWM (r=0.197, n=342, p=0.01). The study concluded that overall, there is a significant positive correlation between stakeholder participation in DWM and improved DWM and recommended a significant increase in stakeholder participation in DWM and further studies into ways of enhancing stakeholder participation in DWM.