Kenya’s 15 counties still grappling with open defaecation

At least 15 counties in Kenya are still grappling with the challenge of open defaecation.

Kenya is one of 26 countries that account for 90 per cent of global open defaecation.

Amref Kenya’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program manager, Daniel Kiragu, said Kenyans still practising open defaecation represent 10 per cent of the country’s population.

“Eighty-five per cent of the 5.6 million are in 15 counties with a high burden of open defaecation, which is a major cause of diseases such as cholera,” Kiragu said.

These cases are concentrated in Baringo, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale, Mandera, Marsabit, Narok, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir and West Pokot.

In Kilifi, Deputy Governor Flora Chibule said three subcounties have been declared open defaecation-free.

“Rabai was the first to achieve this status, followed by Kilifi North and Kilifi South. Efforts are underway to ensure the remaining subcounties meet the target by the end of the year,” Chibule said.

However, parts of Malindi, Magarini, Ganze and Kaloleni are still grappling with the practice. 

“As Kilifi county, we have implemented measures to ensure all our seven subcounties are free from open defaecation. I urge stakeholders, especially county governments, to increase budget allocations for this cause,” she said.

“We are not advocating for expensive toilets or latrines. As long as people have safe, secure and environmentally friendly places to defecate, we are on the right path.”

Tana River Health Executive, Joshua Jarah, pointed out that their efforts to eradicate the practice have been hampered by frequent flooding in the region.

Tana River also has a significant pastoralist population, who are constantly on the move.

“Floods have been a major challenge in our progress toward making Tana River open defaecation-free. However, we are working to address this issue,” Jarah said.

Kwale Health Executive Francis Gwama noted that many villages in the county are yet to adopt the use of toilets.

“We have launched sensitisation programs to educate locals on the importance of proper sanitation in the community,” he said.

The Kenya Sanitation Alliance, which has been working with the affected county governments, reported that more than 5,000 villages in Kenya have so far been declared open defaecation-free.

KSA indicated that each of the 15 counties is required to allocate Sh10 million annually to support the construction of toilets in the affected villages.