ABSTRACT
Consequences of poor sanitation are dire; owing to the high pathogenic load in excreta, it poses high environmental and public health risks. Onsite sanitation systems, previously viewed as a sanitation option solely viable for rural areas, were adopted as a sanitation solution for the urban low income, high density settlements (LIHDS). In Kenya, there is no policy framework governing planning, implementation and management of onsite sanitation within the settlements. In addition, institutional set-up and regulatory functions of urban sanitation sector are shared by different institutions leading to un-coordinated/unregulated activities among the stakeholders involved along the sanitation chain. Sanitation improvement efforts among LIHDS, mainly focus on provision of sanitation facilities (human interface), neglecting sludge management and disposal. Operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities play a distinct role in their overall sustainability. Pay and use approach of sanitation provision enhances operation and maintenance initiatives.
