Factors Contributing to Various Levels of Access to Sanitation among the Residents of Nakuru West Informal Settlements

This study examined factors contributing to various levels of access to sanitation among households in the informal settlements of Kaptembwo, Githima, and Rhonda in Nakuru Town West Constituency. The key parameters assessed included the location of sanitation facilities, sanitation technologies in use, levels of satisfaction with sanitation technologies, and household expenditure on sanitation. The study employed a survey research design. The target population included households of the three informal settlements, totalling 3,400, with a sample size of 393 respondents determined using the Yamane (1967) formula. Data were collected using the key informant schedule, questionnaires and the guide for the focused group discussions. The data collection instruments were pre-tested with 30 households in the informal settlements in Nakuru East Constituency. All ethical issues were addressed adequately. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed. Findings revealed that most respondents (68.9%) had sanitation facilities within their compounds, indicating that physical proximity was not a major hindrance to access. However, the majority of sanitation technologies were found to be of poor quality, with 30.8% of households using pit latrines not connected to any sewer, septic tank, or composting chamber, while 26.1% used flush systems discharging into open drains or unknown locations. Satisfaction with sanitation technologies was generally low, with 62.5% of respondents expressing either no satisfaction or minimal satisfaction due to outdated, poorly functioning, or inadequate facilities. Regarding expenditure, more than half of households (54.5%) reported spending less than KSh 500 per month on sanitation, suggesting limited investment in improved technologies. The findings indicate that although sanitation facilities are physically accessible, poor technologies, low satisfaction, and limited household investment significantly constrain the realisation of improved sanitation in these informal settlements.