Assessing the Availability of Commercialized Toilets in Kakamega Town, Kenya

Mutambi Philip Okanga; Magaret M. Immonje; Sylvester Makhulo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.6.1.37

Authors

Okanga Mutambi Philip
okangamutambi55@gmail.com
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Immonje M. Magaret Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2315-2026
Sylvester Makhulo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0374-8244

Keywords:

Commercialised Public Toilets, Kakamega Town, Sanitation, Waste Management

Abstract

Human waste management has been and continues to be a major global challenge facing urban growth. Even though sanitation is a human right, managing sanitation level is still a challenge. Most public toilets are in a mess and unhygienic forcing governments in different countries to incorporate private organizations into provision, management and maintenance. The main objective of this study was to determine availability of commercialized toilets in Kakamega town. The research was carried out utilizing the Contract Theory. The study adopted descriptive research design carried out in Kakamega Town. The target population comprised residents of Kakamega town and those on daily transit thus 63,426 residents in addition to those in transit. Purposive sampling was done for Kakamega County town and key informants, while Simple random sampling was done for town residents and business people. Systematic sampling was conducted on individuals using public toilets. A sample size of 384 participants was used and data was collected using observation, interviews, questionnaires and document review. Data analysis utilized Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data thematically. Majority of the respondents, 207 (58.97%) were of age bracket 21-30 years and males, 254 (72.36%). A total of 14 public toilets were located within the vicinity of Kakamega Town with 57.14% being commercialized and were not adequate. The rest were free to use public toilets. 265 (75.5%) of respondents knew of public toilets and their location with only 25.9% of females being very often users. Majority of respondents 256 (72.9%) chose public toilets because of their cleanliness and appearance. In conclusion, commercializing public toilets provided revenue and improved hygienic as well as aesthetic value of the town. The study recommends the town to increase the number of commercialized toilet facilities within Kakamega Town. Since establishment of new counties in Kenya, such a study is yet to be done in Kakamega County and, therefore, would provide necessary baseline information to the county for policy implementation.

Dimensions

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