Integration of green practices in upgrading informal settlements in Eldoret Town, Kenya

Abstract

The various initiatives being undertaken by stakeholders in upgrading of informal settlements (IS) in major cities in Africa cannot be underestimated. Through these initiatives, a lot has been achieved in terms of infrastructure provision and land tenure regularization. In spite of these interventions, the conditions within the informal settlements have continued to deteriorate. As evidenced on the ground however, a lot needs to be done towards integration of green practices (GP) in order to realise sustainable settlements. This study examined the integration of GP in upgrading of informal settlements in Eldoret town. The specific objectives of the study were to: Examine green practices being employed, evaluate integration processes, assess the impact and determine the dynamics of implementation of GP. The study was anchored on the Triple Bottom Model on sustainability. Based on the pragmatic philosophical underpinning, the study adopted mixed methods approach utilizing concurrent triangulation design. Using multi stage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques, and a sample size of 370 respondents was selected from a target population of 9958. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview schedules, observation, document reviews and focus group discussions (FGD). Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and mean. Inferential statistics employed were; Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Chi–square test and the logit regression model. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the study showed that IS residents practice various green practices that include; use of electricity, energy saving bulbs, gas for cooking, solar, charcoal when using improved cooking jikos, reuse of water, prompt repairing of taps, use of rainwater, reducing, reusing, and recycling of waste. However, it was found out through the FGD and interviews that the county government of Uasin Gishu has come up with a water policy on rain water harvesting but there was no written policy on green waste management to support reuse, reduce and recycling of waste. Further, IS upgrading is carried out by various stakeholders who carry out various forms of upgrading activities. ANOVA results for various items tested showed statistically significant difference in the rating by the three settlements. For example, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean ratings for ‘use of solar that had led to reduced electricity bills’ at (F (2,354) = 9.150, P= 0.000 <0.05 at the 0.05 alpha level. Further, Chi-Square values were statistically significant for all the items tested at p =0.000 <0.05, indicating all the variables tested were key on implementation of GP. The logit regression model showed that households with green energy and green water practice were highly likely to be employing green practices after upgrading. However, green waste was not highly associated with green practice. The study concludes that green practices have been employed to some extent, various stakeholders are involved in different projects during the upgrading process, adoption of green practices is associated with several benefits but its integration is affected by factors such as high initial cost and lack of maintenance. The study recommends a multidimensional approach given the heterogeneity that exists in integration of GP in the three settlements. Proper policies, infrastructural developments for GP should be integrated in the planning and upgrading processes. Harmonized participation of all stakeholders in financial and actual implementation of the initiatives to increase use, access and adoption of green practices is critical.