This article examines how climate adaptation planning for sanitation in Nairobi reinforces existing inequalities by prioritizing centralized sewer systems in policy rhetoric while failing to deliver equitable, climate resilient services in practice.
Skyline of the city of Nairobi, Kenya.
Photo: Anton Petrus / Getty Images
This paper explores the disconnect between policy rhetoric and implementation at the intersection of sanitation equity and climate change in Nairobi, Kenya. To examine the current sanitation adaptation trajectory, the authors reviewed Nairobi’s sanitation policies, planning, and investment frameworks, focusing on their integration with climate adaptation strategies and consideration of equity in terms of distribution, recognition and processes. They used a socio-technical regime framework to map the current sanitation service configurations in Nairobi and projected their future under different climate change scenarios.
Their findings provide evidence for a disconnection between policy rhetoric and implementation, prioritizing sewerage development at the expense of other sanitation regimes. Despite recognizing equity issues in policy, substantive action towards equitable sanitation governance is lacking. This imbalance hinders the realization of the constitutionally recognized right to adequate sanitation in the foreseeable future. The anticipated impact of climate change on Nairobi’s sanitation sector suggests an exacerbation of existing service inequalities. Their projection indicates that by 2030, a sizeable portion of Nairobi’s residents will experience poor sanitation services. This study emphasizes the critical need for a fundamental paradigm shift. It calls for a robust and honest discussion on delivering high-quality, resilient sanitation services at scale including both sewer and non-sewered sanitation and necessitating substantial public investment and support for all systems. This reappraisal is imperative for ensuring equitable and sustainable sanitation solutions in the face of climate change.
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