From Plan to Action: Assessing Integration and Evolution of Solid Waste Management Policies in Kenya

Kenya has developed various policy frameworks to guide the management of solid waste. However, their focus on environment dominates over health outcomes, and major gaps exist in stipulating clear policy strategies and implementation mechanisms. This study examined the extent to which current solid waste management policies in Kenya are integrated and how they address health outcomes. We looked at policy priorities and strategies on solid waste management since independence and policy integration across various issues and sectors. Analysis of the policy landscape indicated that solid waste management policies in Kenya have evolved to more specificity in terms of focus, functions and scope. There is a huge shift from focusing on criminalising offences to promoting good practices; from generic acts of parliament to specific ones, and from centralised mandates to more decentralised responsibilities. However, explicit articulation of policy strategies and implementation mechanisms is inadequate.