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.