TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION
APROVAL U
DEDICATION fl~
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT V
ACRONYMS V~
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 3
1.3 Study objectives 3
1.4 Research questions 3
1.5 Scope of the study 4
1.6 Significance of the study 4
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature review 5
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 The causes of poverty 6
2.3 Effects of poverty on the environment 8
2.4 Measures that have been put in place to alleviate poverty. 13
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Study area and research methodology 15
3.lStudyarea 15
3.1.1 Location of the study area 15
3.1.2 Topography and geology 15
3.1.3 Climate 15
3.1.4 Vegetation 15
3.1.5 Population 16
3.1.6 Land ownership 16
3.2 Research methodology 16
3.2.1 Sample size and sample determination 16
3.2.2 Data collection instruments 17
3.2.3 Data processing and analysis 17
3.2.4 Limitation of the study 17
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Presentations and discussions of research findings 19
4.1 Introduction 19
4.2 The causes of poverty 19
vii
4.2.1 Lack of employment .21
4.2.2 Lack of market for goods 21
4.2.3 Diseases and ailments 21
4.2.4 Lack of education 22
4.2.5 Drunkard ness 22
4.2.6 Having many children 22
4.2.7 Poor management of income 23
4.2.8 Idleness and laziness 23
4.2.9 Death of a parent 23
4.3 Effects of poverty on the environment 24
4.3.1 Water pollution 25
4.3.2 Soil pollution 26
4.3.3 Air pollution 27
4.3.4 Lack of basic necessities 29
4.3.5 Diseases 29
4.3.6 Lack of proper infrastructure 30
4.3.7 Vices 30
4.4 Measures that have taken to alleviate poverty 32
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 34
5.1 Conclusions 34
5.1.1 The causes of poverty in Kibera 34
5.1.2 Effects of poverty on the environment 34
5.1.3 Measures that have been put to alleviate poverty 35
5.2 Recommendations 35
5.2.1 Environmental education 35
5.2.2 Informal education 35
5.2.3 Security reinforcement 36
5.2.4 Improve sanitation and hygiene 36
5.2.5 Promote vocation training and education 36
Bibliography 38
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Research Questionnaire format 40
Appendix 2 Observation checklist 45
Appendix 3 Research interview guide 46
ABSTRACT A study on effects of poverty on the environment was carried out in Kibera slums of Kibera sub-location, Nairobi district-Kenya. Causes of poverty on the environment, the effects of poverty on the environment and measures that were put in place to alleviate poverty were the main focus of the study. Data collection in the study included the use of photography, observation checklist, questionnaires and interview guides on focus group discussions. The study findings revealed that the causes of poverty in the slums of Kibera to be lack of employment, lack of market for goods, ailments and diseases, lack of education, drunkard ness and having many children. Other causes of poverty were poor management of income, idleness and laziness and death of a parent. The effects of poverty on the environment resulted into water, soil and air pollution, lack of basic necessities, diseases, lack of proper infrastructure and vices. Measures that were taken to alleviate poverty included provision of education and soft loans through microfinance firms. The study recommended that promotion of vocation training, informal education, environmental education, security reinforcement and improvement of sanitation and hygiene be enhanced among the residents of Kibera slums.
