INCENTIVES AND PENALTIES: NAOMI KORIR'S APPROACH TO IMPROVING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Naomi Korir, a research lead at Sanivation Limited, recently conducted a study on solid waste management in Naivasha as part of the Accountability for Water program. Her research focused on using incentives and penalties to improve accountability in solid waste management, analysing the current situation and identifying gaps in the system.
Korir's background in sanitation initially made her hesitant to apply for the water research fellowship. However, encouragement from a colleague led her to explore the correlation between water and sanitation in her work. "I didn't think the research fellowship was for me because I am a sanitation professional, but because it was a water research fellowship, and it was not water and sanitation. After speaking to a colleague, he encouraged me to apply and show the correlation between sanitation and water," she explained.
Her study revealed a clear link between poor solid waste management and water pollution in Naivasha. Naomi noted that the area's water bodies, including rivers and a large lake, are crucial for both consumption and livelihoods. She emphasised the direct impact of mismanaged waste on these water sources, stating, "The correlation was clear that poor solid waste management directly results in pollution of these water bodies."
One of the key findings of Korir's research was the disconnect between existing policies and their implementation. "We have very good policies, very updated. They have been domesticated at the county level. And I think implementation is where the problem is," she observed. She also pointed out that while there are provisions for both incentives and penalties in solid waste management, the lack of enforcement makes it appear as if no policies exist at all.
The research also highlighted the importance of information dissemination at various levels of governance and within communities. Naomi expressed regret at not being able to share her findings with the data sources due to funding constraints. She believes that awareness of these findings could lead to improvements at all levels of responsibility, from households to county governments.
She stressed the need for consistency and prioritisation in addressing waste management issues. "I think consistency is key in achieving the change that we want," she said. She noted a lack of information among community members and inadequate budgets for authorities to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
In conclusion, Korir emphasised the serious health implications of poor waste management and the need for a more proactive approach. "If you don't tackle it on your risk management, the effects are dire and they're directly felt," she warned. Her parting advice focused on the importance of prioritising waste management, providing adequate budgets, and facilitating avenues for improvement.
While Naomi Korir's current work at Sanivation Limited primarily focuses on faecal sludge management, her research has provided valuable insights into the broader field of solid waste management, potentially influencing policy and practice in Naivasha and beyond.
