Title: Partnerships for sustainable cities as options for improving solid waste management in Nairobi city

Abstract

Partnerships as enshrined in policies are vital for achieving sustainable cities under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indeed SDGs recognizes the importance of partnerships in solid waste management (SWM) as a way of developing workable and reliable waste management systems. Solid waste management in Nairobi City continues to be a great challenge, and poor practices threaten environmental and public health. Ineffective waste management in Nairobi City has been linked to inefficient policy implementation and enforcement by different stakeholders. To effectively address the challenge of sustainable waste management in Nairobi City, amalgamation of strategies amongst several segments including stakeholders; private and public sectors ( formal and informal ), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Communities is important, through partnerships to implement improved policies, in terms of capacity, financial prudence, technical and institutional. The paper seeks to analyze existing policy framework on solid waste management and its effectiveness in addressing SWM in Nairobi City. The study is based on a descriptive research design involved interrogating the stakeholders included in the implementation of the policy frameworks in place. Data was acquired through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 385 respondents and interviews with 10 key informants. The theoretical framework based on Institutional Theory and capacity building theories that expound the gaps in policy implementation and the role of partnerships. Policies in SWM interlinked for sustainable cities.