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The potential for scaling up container‐based sanitation in informal settlements in Kenya
Author(s) -
Mallory Adrian,
Mdee Anna,
Agol Dorice,
HydeSmith Leonie,
Kiogora Domenic,
Riungu Joy,
Parker Alison
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of international development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.533
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1099-1328
pISSN - 0954-1748
DOI - 10.1002/jid.3639
Subject(s) - sanitation , corporate governance , business , incentive , sustainability , service delivery framework , politics , work (physics) , collective action , human settlement , economic growth , economics , service (business) , environmental planning , marketing , political science , finance , engineering , market economy , mechanical engineering , ecology , environmental engineering , law , biology , waste management , environmental science
Kenya has enshrined the right to sanitation in the 2010 constitution. Achieving this requires scaling up infrastructure and models of delivery beyond sewer networks that have previously been the focus. In Kenya, two enterprises, Sanergy and Sanivation, have been providing new forms of off‐grid services with container‐based sanitation (CBS). This paper uses a political economy analysis to understand the incentives, institutions and power dynamics that are enabling or constraining the potential for such off‐grid sanitation models. The paper outlines six core problems to be addressed in the pursuit of scaling up: fragmented governance; sustainability of CBS enterprise models; service delivery planning in informal settlements; personal power rather than institutions in decision‐making; vested local interests; and land tenure and political connection. It discusses how stakeholders might work collaboratively to progressively address or recognise these issues.