World Environment 2019, 9(1): 1-12 DOI: 10.5923/j.env.20190901.01 Nature and Collection Systems of Domestic Solid Wastes in Kisii Town, Kenya Mecheo O. Naftal 1,* , P. Omondi 2 , Abdirizak Nunow 2 1 A Masters Graduate Moi University, Kesses, Kenya 2 A Senior Lecturer in Department of Geography Moi University, Kesses, Kenya Abstract Urban domestic solid waste is increasingly being generated in many urban centres including middle sized towns. This paper examines and analyses nature and the collection systems of domestic solid waste in Kisii town- a middle sized town in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study include: analyzing the types of domestic solid waste generated in Kisii town and assessing the storage, collection and transportation systems of the domestic solid wastes (DSW) in Kisii town. A data sample of 110 households was obtained using a multi- stage stratified sampling method. Data collection methods involved the use of questionnaires to households and direct interviews to County officers in charge of DSW. In addition, observation integrated with photography was used. Data analysis was carried out using multiple methods and presented using various forms including use of tables, use of graphs generated through SPSS, and other descriptive statistics such as the use of measures of central tendency. It was found that various types of domestic solid wastes are generated in Kisii town ranging from: food remains, papers, polythene papers, plastics, bottles, glass, cans, tins, used old clothes, used old shoes, used old beddings such as blankets, used PVCs, used old furniture and remains of construction materials such as wood, cement bags, pieces of iron sheets and pieces of card boards. Also, varied systems of collection, storage and transportation are deployed including: use of self- purchased bins, County provided bins and self- purchased polythene bags; both the County employees and private groups take part in the collection of domestic solid wastes. In transportation of the waste, only three methods are employed including: use of compacters of the County, use of tractors and use of hand- pulled carts (mkokoteni). In conclusion, Kisii town generates a wide range of wastes from households and the management of the DSW is inadequate for the town residents. It is therefore recommended that, for effective domestic solid waste management public awareness should be emphasised to identify the critical role of separation of waste at source, adequate bins should be provided in the town and collection should be regular and indiscriminate in all estates. At the same time, the transportation of the waste to designated dumping sites should be streamlined and made more effective. Keywords Nature, Collection systems, Domestic solid waste (DSW), Kisii town, Kenya 1. Introduction Solid waste is produced in all residential areas of human habitation. The management of the waste thus has become a critical problem to different Counties and towns especially in developing countries. Domestic solid waste management in middle-sized towns such as Kisii has become a vital problem to local authorities and municipal authorities especially in developing countries. Consequently, UNEP (2003) observed that the impact of solid wastes in urban environments has become more and more intractable. For example, it’s estimated that more than five (5) million people die annually * Corresponding author: mecheonaftal@gmail.com (Mecheo O. Naftal) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/env Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Scientific & Academic Publishing This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ in urban areas worldwide from diseases related to inadequate waste management systems (UNDP, 1991). Kisii town has experienced rapid population growth and physical expansion in the recent years. The area has increased rapidly in the recent past resulting in the expansion of its boundaries due to high rural urban migration as well as natural increase. The population has increased threefold from 64,000 in 1989 census to 183,000 people according to 2009 census, (KMC 2010). The population increase in the town has consequently increased the generation of domestic solid waste (DSW) in the town, such that it poses overwhelming challenges to the existing management systems for the DSW. The status of Kisii town has been elevated to County headquarters with the adoption of devolved system of government following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. The generation of domestic solid waste in Kisii has consequently increased to an alarming level that requires urgent attention. Similarly, the collection,