Meeting Basic Needs in a Rapidly Urbanizing Community: A Water, Sanitation, and Solid Waste Assessment in Ruiru, Kenya May 8, 2006 Prepared by: Sarah Dobsevage, Jennifer Traska Gibson, Kristin Helz, Christina Planert, Arthit Prasartkul, Katie Raye, Anjani Singh, Susan Wofsy of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University for: The Municipal Council of Ruiru, Kenya Acknowledgements We would like to thank the following people and institutions whose assistance and guidance made this project possible. Columbia University: School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CSUD) at the Earth Institute and the Spring 2006 Nairobi Urban Planning Studio at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) Faculty and Staff: Dr. Jacqueline Klopp, Dr. Charles Downs, Dr. Elliott Sclar, Dr. Sigurd Grava, Dr. Sumila Gulyani, Julie Touber, Nicole Volavka, Dr. Patrick Kinney, Dr. Upmanu Lall, Dr. Roberto Lenton and Dr. Sylvie LeBlancq University of Nairobi: Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) and Department of Chemistry Faculty, Staff and Students: Dr. Peter Ngau, Musiyimi Mbathi, Geoffrey Mogondu, Boniface Mworia, Lilian Otiego, Samuel Ouma, Elizabeth Waryiru and Shem O. Wandiga Ruiru Municipal Council: Joseph Mbugua, Councilor Geoffrey M. Kahara, Dr. Charles Kamau, Councilor Geoffrey Kahara, Henry Karanja, Councilor Jackson Karanja, Councilor Samuel Kibiru, Elizabeth Njoki Kihara, Councilor Mary Mungai, Councilor Morrison Muriuki, Town Clerk Geoffrey Mwangi, Paul Mwangi, Councilor Rose Mwangi, Peter Mwaura, Naomi Ndichu, Councilor Morrison Oyanda, Mayor Wilfred Wamuya and the people of Ruiru Athi Water Services Board: Engineer Gitau, Engineer Joseph Kamau, Julia Kiruri, Patrick Kinyori, Julius Muiruri, Engineer Lawrence Mwangi, Engineer John Muiruri and Engineer Naivasha Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company: Kabando Wa Kabando, Engineer J.P. Kimani and Njeri Magu Thika Water Company: Engineer Michael Ngare Thika District Offices: Julius K. Inyingi, Dr. Kamao and Juliana Mutua FORCUS and other NGOs: Jacinta Achiema Omundi, Hilary Mabubi, Caroline Kagure Machira, Seth Mwangi, Nicholas Njoroge Mugo, Roman Nyanjui Kariuki and Erick Waweru Tana Water Services Board and Nyeri Water Company: Engineer Irari, Engineer Kibaki and Lucy Kibui Other Friends: Royal Thai Embassy, Nairobi; Patrick Adolwa; Benson Owele Akungu; Njuki Githethwa; Nidchu Gitau; Mi Hua; Willie Jackson; Maimbo M. Malesu; Japheth Mbuvi; Malaquen Milgo; Engineer Silas Muketha; Charles Nderithu; Wanjiru Ndichu; Ann W. Njogu Titus Nzuki; Sammy Onyango; Norah Osora; Charles Patterson and Alice Sagwe 1 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………... 4 I. PROJECT OVERVIEW………………………………………………………………………. 6 II. INTRODUCTION TO RUIRU………………………………………………………………. 8 III. INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT…………………………………………………………….. 10 IV. STAKEHOLDERS………………………………………………………………………… 11 V. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS – METHODOLOGY……………………………………….. 13 VI. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS – FINDINGS………………………………………………. 17 A. WATER……………………………………………………………………………. 17 B. SANITATION……………………………………………………………………... 33 C. SOLID WASTE……………………………………………………………………. 44 D. HEALTH LINKAGES……………………………………………………………... 52 VII. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………… 59 VII. APPENDICES Appendix 1: SIPA Household Survey (March 2006)………………………………... 61 Appendix 2: Map of SIPA Household Survey Locations………………………….... 72 Appendix 3: Fact Sheet, Ruiru Municipality (survey results)……………………….. 73 Appendix 4: Fact Sheet, Biashara ward (survey results)……………………………. 75 Appendix 5: Fact Sheet, Githurai ward (survey results)…………………………….. 77 Appendix 6: Fact Sheet, Gitothua ward (survey results)……………………………. 79 Appendix 7: Fact Sheet, Kahawa Sukari ward (survey results)……………………... 81 Appendix 8: Fact Sheet, Murera ward (survey results)…………………………….... 83 Appendix 9: Fact Sheet, Ruiru Municipality, Low Income (survey results)………... 85 Appendix 10: Fact Sheet, Ruiru Municipality, Middle Income (survey results)……. 87 Appendix 11: Fact Sheet, Ruiru Municipality, High Income (survey results)…….... 89 Appendix 12: Ruiru Health Data……………………………………………………. 91 Appendix 13: Map of Registered Borehole Locations in Ruiru Municipality………. 98 Appendix 14: Contact List…………………………………………………………... 99 2 List of Abbreviations ALRI Acute Lower Respiratory Infection AMREF African Medical and Research Foundation AWSB Athi Water Services Board DURP Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Nairobi FORCUS Families, Orphans, Children, Under Stress ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre ITN Insecticide treated mosquito net Ksh Kenyan Shillings LATF Local Authority Transfer Fund LCD Liters Per Capita Per Day MOH Ministry of Health, Kenya MWI Ministry of Water and Irrigation NEMA National Environment Management Authority NGO Non-governmental Organization NCC Nairobi City Council NWSC Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company PSI Population Services International RUJA Ruiru-Juja Water and Sewerage Company SIPA School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University UN United Nations UNEP United Nations Environment Program URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection USD United States Dollars VIP Ventilated Improved Pit WHO World Health Organization WRMA Water Resources Management Authority WRSB Water Regulatory Services Board WSP Water Service Provider 3 Executive Summary Ruiru, Kenya is a rapidly growing city, facing the challenges of urbanization and unplanned development. National water reforms have put pressure on local governments to take responsibility for provision of services related to water and sanitation. The Municipal Council of Ruiru is currently working with national and local partners to develop plans for improved services for the community. This report presents the work of eight graduate students from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University who worked as consultants on behalf of the Municipal Council to assess the current situation in Ruiru with regard to water, sanitation and solid waste services and to provide recommendations in the context of national water reforms. To that end, the SIPA team used a literature review, data collection and analysis, key informant interviews with the Municipal Council, borehole operators, regional service boards, local water companies and other experts, as well as a survey of 100 households representing the five wards in Ruiru. The SIPA Household Survey served to explore linkages between quality of services with public health problems and to address the diverse realities and concerns of the community. This analysis produced three key findings in the water, sanitation and solid waste sectors. Water- related diseases are a public health problem in Ruiru. Due to the interconnected nature of water and sanitation and the health impacts of inadequate sanitation, sanitation is a priority issue. Decentralization is a complicated process. Ultimately, the reforms should facilitate improved service provision in Ruiru, but the Municipal Council is in a time of transition without the capacity to make timely progress. The community-based situational analysis of water in Ruiru revealed a multiplicity of water providers, inadequate infrastructure, water quality issues, low water use patterns, inconsistent availability, the use of alternative water sources, low awareness of treatment methods and concerns with water availability, quality, cost and distance to source. Further, the study found that point-of-use improvements in water quality are fairly simple but have not been fully exploited. The SIPA team recommends that the Municipal Council undertake a feasibility study to inform the technical aspects of water provisioning and implement quick win solutions including rainwater harvesting and water treatment methods. In addition, the Municipal Council should work with international and local NGOs to increase public health awareness about water- related issues. Key findings in sanitation include environmental and health challenges due to the lack of a sewerage system in Ruiru, unsatisfactory household sanitation facilities including an over- reliance on pit latrines and improperly placed and maintained septic tanks, poorly maintained and crowded facilities, the illegal dumping of human waste, lack of public awareness about safe sanitation practices and lack of sense of personal control of the problem. To address this situation, the SIPA team recommends that the Municipal Council develop a simplified sewerage system in high-density areas, plant bamboo to clean sewage, investigate ecological sanitation technologies, institute and enforce regulations, build public awareness through health education and take steps to control and properly maintain household facilities. 4 The analysis of the solid waste sector uncovered insufficient collection capacity, a high level of garbage burning, lack of a satisfactory dumping site or formal recycling, widespread illegal dumping and a low level of public involvement. The SIPA team therefore recommends that the Municipal Council implement quick win solutions and set up more communal collection points, re-allocate refuse collection capacity, investigate the potential for increasing its revenue base by using waste as a resource, enforce regulations and explore opportunities for leveraging partners, including schools (for creating awareness), youth groups (for garbage collection) and the community overall (for clean up campaigns). Ruiru’s problems with water, sanitation and solid waste underscore the