Environmental effects and health risks associated with the location of Kalundu dumpsite, Kitui county to local residents

Abstract

The rapid growth of urban centres of developing countries has created challenging problems in waste management. This problem is exacerbated by resource constraints, extreme poverty, lack of practical waste management policies, and the inability of local authorities to provide for this basic function. Waste disposal onto dumpsites located in close proximity to human settlements is a challenge to the local inhabitants. In Kitui, generated waste is dumped in Kalundu, located in a residential area surrounded by several businesses, a garage and a cattle traders market. At the edge of the dumpsite, there is the Kalundu River. Thus, the presence of the dumpsite can be a source of health risks to people in its vicinity and that of the surrounding environment. It is with this background that the study was conceptualised to assess the environmental effects and health risks associated with the presence of dumpsite. The study specifically aimed at (i) determining the health risks associated with the presence of Kalundu dumpsite on the surrounding residents (ii) determining the perceived environmental effects of Kalundu dumpsite by local residents and (iii) assessing the participation level of local residents in managing the solid waste dumped in Kalundu. 78 respondents were randomly selected and divided into two layers, those living between 0 m and 250 m from the dumpsite (near dumpsite) and those living between 250 and 500 m (far from dumpsite). They were administered with structured questionnaires for data collection. Patient visitor data was also obtained from local health facilities Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the collected data and results were presented using tables and graphs. The study revealed that poor handling of solid waste once dumped has led to outbreaks of environmental diseases such as Cholera, Malaria, chest pains, among others. Those residing near the dumpsite were the most vulnerable.. The residents blamed deteriorating environmental conditions of their surroundings to the presence of the dumpsite in their vicinity. The results further indicated that majority of the residents had not received public education on waste management practices implying that they were unaware of the different aspects of waste management once it arrived at the dumpsite. The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that location, age, household size and income, did not significantly influence participation in SWM activities but was significantly influenced by education level. To achieve sustainable development in respect to Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, the study recommends that Kitui County Government should employ sustainable solid waste management strategies in Kalundu dumpsite. The county should provide waste management infrastructure, public education on waste management, implementation of reduction, recycle, reuse and recover concept and the introduction of Community Based Organizations for waste collection and enforcement.