IMPLICATIONS OF COMMERCIALIZATION OF PUBLIC TOILETS ON SOCIO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF KAKAMEGA TOWN

Abstract

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 messy and unhygienic forcing most governments in different countries to incorporate private organizations into provision, management and maintenance. Since establishment of new counties in Kenya, such a study is yet to be done in Kakamega County and therefore would provide necessary information to the county for policy implementation. The main objective of this study was to examine the implications of commercialization of public toilets on socio-economic and environmental status of Kakamega Town. Specifically, the study sought to determine availability of commercialized public toilets in Kakamega Town, assess the utilization of commercialized public toilets in Kakamega Town and examine the implications of commercializing public toilets on the socio-economics and environmental status of Kakamega Town. 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. Purposive sampling was done for Kakamega County, town and key informants. Simple random sampling of 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 fourteen (14) public toilets were located within the vicinity of Kakamega Town with 57.14% being commercialized and were not adequate. 265 (75.5%) of respondents knew of public toilets and their location with only 25.9% of females being very often users. There was a borderline significant relationship between age and disability status (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.7 – 1.5; p=0.06) and toilet preference. Majority of respondents 256 (72.9%) chose public toilets because of their cleanliness and appearance. Each public toilet had an average of 500 users per day with total collection averaging ksh.44000/= per day. Hygienically, there were low incidents of open defecation, urination and flying toilets in places where commercialized public toilets were. Aesthetically the beauty of commercialized public toilets improved the general outlook of the town with other commercial activities being conducted on same premises. In conclusion, commercializing public toilets provided revenue and improved hygienic as well as esthetic value of the town. The study recommends the town to increase the number of public toilet facilities and the management of public toilets in the county government of Kakamega to enhance cleanliness and access to all public toilets within the town.