TRADER’S FISH HANDLING PRACTICES, PERCEPTIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND LEVEL OF AWARENESS ON GOVERNMENT’S SANITATION GUIDELINES IN GIKOMBA MARKET, NAIROBI

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the trader’s fish handling practices, perceptions on environmental management and level of awareness on government’s sanitation guidelines in Gikomba market, Nairobi.Methodology: A descriptive survey design was used for the research. The target for the study was the fish traders of Gikomba fish market, Nairobi. Random sampling of fish traders was done from a register, using Fischer’s formulae, to calculate the number of respondents. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and was processed using EXCEL and SPSS software packages. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages,) and inferential statistics (Chi square and Logistic Regression) were used to explain the variables. 54% of the respondents did not get piped water.Results: The overall findings led to a support of the key research hypotheses that fish handling practices is significantly related to the environmental situation (P<0.05), perception on environmental management is significantly related to the environmental situation (P<0.05), and awareness on institutional guidelines is significantly related to the environmental situation(P<0.05).Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The research recommended that Emphasis should be put on disposal of fish wastes in the major fish markets, fish wastes recycling options, training of fish operators and capacity development of staff.