Adaptation Strategies To Adverse Effects Of Climate Variability On Water And Sanitation Access In Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slum, Nairobi County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Climate variability is an environmental pressure to urban slum dwellers economic activities in most developing countries where households have been adapting to it for years. Slum dwellers are faced with inadequate access to water and proper sanitation. This problem is partly attributed to climate change. This research project aimed at exploring the adaptation and coping mechanisms of Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum community in Nairobi City, due to poor water supply and access to basic sanitation because of climate variability. The four objectives of the study were; to determine climate variability of Nairobi over the last 35yrs, to identify the community‟s adaptation and coping mechanism strategies to poor accessibility of portable water and basic sanitation due to climate variability; to determine the factors hampering the community access to adequate water supply and basic sanitation; and to assess how low accessibility to sufficient water supply and basic sanitation affect the achievement of sustainable development. Descriptive research design and sample size of 384 were formulated. Data analysis was done by use of statistical software known as Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings reveal that majority of respondents at 94.2% agree unfavorable weather conditions contributes to sanitation issues now and possibly in the future. 59.5% of the residents in the study area experienced inadequate supply of water. Above 90% of residents store water by use of drums and jerry cans. It is also notable from the findings that the drainage systems in most parts of the study area are poor as indicated by 41% of the respondents. Implication of the findings suggests the populace should be guaranteed adequate supply of water and proper waste management by the county government and the citizenry working together to achieve a better living standard