Abstract:
The swift urbanization and population increase have heightened solid waste
management (SWM) issues in Kenya where Kisumu City has been characterized by the
presence of accumulated solid waste in its surroundings, inadequate waste disposal
systems, and low levels of participation of the youth in organized environmental
initiatives. This Study explored how the involvement of the youth in solid waste
management projects is influencing youth empowerment in Kisumu City, Kenya. The
detailed hypotheses were to determine the impact of the involvement of youth in the
waste collection, waste disposal and recycling initiatives on the effects of
empowerment. The Ecological Systems Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Self
Determination Theory of Deci and Ryan guided the Study. Cross-sectional research
design was used with 320 youth who were enrolled in substance abuse prevention
programs as the target population. The sampling method was stratified random
sampling which was used to select 175 respondents and data were collected with
structured questionnaires that were pilot-tested in Nakuru City. The SPSS Version 26
was used to analyze quantitative data based on some descriptive statistics including
means, standard deviations, and percentages. Ordinal regression analysis was also
applied in determining the relationship among the study variables. The results indicated
that there exists a strong, positive and statistically significant association between youth
participation in SWM projects and the outcomes of empowerment. Waste collection
practices (β = 1.719, p < .05), waste disposal practices (β = 2.188, p < .05), and
recycling projects (β = 4.625, p < .05) significantly influenced youth empowerment,
explaining 59.3% of its variation. The null hypothesis was rejected in all three cases
and proved that active involvement in SWM has a beneficial effect on the
environmental awareness, leadership, social inclusion, and economic independence of
young individuals. The Study concludes the role of youth in solid waste management
in urban areas as having a transformative potential on urban sustainability, and socio
economic development. It suggests that governments, NGOs and local governments
should increase youth participation in terms of training, financial aid and better
infrastructure. Research can be considered to take up longitudinal approaches and
examine the impact of digital innovation in enhancing youth-led waste management
projects in the future.
