Factors Influencing Management Of Hazardous Solid Waste In Obunga And Migosi Residential Areas In Kisumu County, Kenya

Hazardous-solid waste management, (HSWM) is the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste material that, when improperly handled, can cause substantial harm to human health and safety or to the environment. The main purpose of the study was to assess the selected factors influencing management of hazardous solid waste in Obunga and Migosi estates in Kisumu County, Kenya that was guided by the following specific objectives: (i) To find out the influence of knowledge on the HSWM (ii) To determine the influence of socioeconomic factors on the HSWM (iii) To establish the influence of social institutions on the HSWM and (iv) To examine the influence of infrastructure on the HSWM and (v) to determine the combined influence of the independent variables on the management of hazardous solid waste. The study used descriptive research design. The target populations of the study was the residents of Obunga and Migosi estates living in 1637 households. A stratified random sample of 326 households were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive (means, standard deviation and frequency distribution) and inferential (regression) statistics were used to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that the households’ management of hazardous solid waste was low (Mean of 1.71 on a scale of 1 to 5). Household heads’ knowledge of waste management was high (mean of 3.60 on a scale of 1 to 5). The management of hazardous solid waste in the study area was statistically significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by household heads’ knowledge (β=0.796, t(325)=14.45, p