Month: September 2024

In a sting operation acting on intelligence information, the Police on Tuesday arrested two villains who were captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) violently robbing in broad daylight at their hideout in Utange, Sub-County.

On Saturday, three Panga-wielding criminals on a motorcycle were captured on CCTV in Majengo, Makupa, and Tononoka robbing and inflicting injuries to people unabated.

The suspects Mohammed Ibrahim Shaban, 22 years and Abdulaziz Ali Ogutu, 19 years were arrested with one Panga, three knives, two assorted mobile phones, and two backpacks. They are being processed before they are arraigned in Court.

Mombasa Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Maxwell Agoro said the criminals aged between 17 and 28 years, have been engaging in criminal activities since 2022. After they conduct a criminal activity they bolt to another county.

In Zamaria in Majengo location the criminals violently attacked a pedestrian and robbed his phone and other belongings, after they had inflicted an injury on hi
s forehead and his left eye.

‘A manhunt was launched and today acting on credible intelligence information we managed to catch up with them at the Utange area within Kisauni. This is a group that operates in Mombasa and then they run away in their neighbourhood,’ said the SCPC Agoro.

He went on: ‘The Police managed to arrest them and escorted them to Makupa Police Station where they are being processed and further Police action to follow’.

The duo is among the most wanted criminals and the Police are burning the midnight oil to arrest the rest.

‘We are sounding a warning to those who have got such kind of intention that the National Police Service (NPS) will not relent until we catch up with them,’ said the Police boss.

He further revealed that the NPS has formed multi-agency teams in uniform and civilians to nab criminals. Structures have been put up with the National Transport Authority (NTSA) to identify the owners of motorcycles used by the miscreants to flee.

‘We have put up the traps so that we ca
n nab them all,’ stated Agoro, adding that so far 13 notorious have been apprehended.

The residents were assured of heightened security amid a surge in criminal cases. They were urged to give information that will assist the Police to arrest the criminals.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Over a hundred acres of public wetland once used as a private area have been reclaimed in Nandi through an elaborate government multi-sectoral approach.

The campaign to repossess the wetlands peaked when President William Ruto ordered the aggressive national tree planting exercise of 15 billion trees in the next ten years.

Leaders who spoke on Tuesday during the National Tree Growing exercise in Aldai praised the Nandi community for accepting to surrender public wetlands for conservation measures.

Nandi South Deputy County Commissioner Mokin Ptanguny hailed successful public participation that ensured locals surrendered wetlands and other public spaces.

‘We have engaged the members of the public through participatory engagement. We are still asking them to let spaces go once occupied for long,’ Mokin insisted.

He praised Kipsiorori residents in Aldai for accepting a stretch of 58 acres of Matambaach Wetland as a public conservation area.

‘We are asking the members of the public across the board to vaca
te public spaces because we have the intention to put in programmatic interventions that are of national benefit,’ he added.

The DCC maintained that public land or space grabbed before should be surrendered for the government initiative interventions for public interest.

He said accumulative tree growing effort that is being done nationally is part of climate adaptation strategies.

‘Strategy of planting trees is one of the ways of mitigating global warming effects that is cutting across all nations in Africa, across the world, Kenya being one of them,’ he noted.

Jonah Tireito, Chief Officer in charge of Lands, Water, Environment and Climate Change also insisted that the County Government of Nandi with the help of Kenya Forest Service has reclaimed 150 acres of wetlands in Tinderet, Chesumei, Aldai, Emgwen and Aldai.

Tireito said that it was an elaborate plan to ensure all the wetlands that cover Nandi County, restored and put under conservation care.

‘If we suffocate wetlands in Nandi, we will be destro
ying the livelihoods of people who are living down the stream,’ he said.

He thanked the well-wishers who are funding the fencing of the reclaimed wetlands in Nandi and promised to ensure all planted trees are secure.

‘We are asking our people to vacate all wetlands without interfering so that the ecosystem can take its own course,’ said the county chief officer.

Tireito thanked the communities around wetlands who have ventured into alternative livelihoods and allow the government to reclaim these conservation points.

On his part, Nandi County Forest Conservator Dennis Kerengo said the government wasn’t encouraging agroforestry but asked them to embrace cut and carry of the grass which will grow alongside trees in conservation areas.

‘So, it is win-win and we encourage that once these trees grow, local farmers can put in their beehives. We have talked to some NGOs around here and they have accepted to help interested farmers with bee hives,’ he revealed.

He however urged the community to replace blue gum
along the rivers with indigenous trees, bamboos and also fruit trees.

‘Our target is 40 percent tree cover area but we are at 26 percent so we have a mammoth task as a community to achieve the target,’ Kerengo said.

He also appealed to residents to surrender public lands within the conservation sites, riparian, wetland and also degraded hill slopes especially in Tinderet

‘Let us stop cultivating slopes which are below 40 degrees and always follow the conservation advisories,’ he added.

The County Conservator revealed that the number of trees grown in Nandi since the campaign began is approaching ten million and promised to achieve a 17 million target before the end of this year.

He committed that over 170 million trees in the ten years will be planted through an elaborate well laid plan.

Kerengo reiterated that farmers should plant trees in every free space with unlimited options like avocados, macadamia and many other environmentally friendly trees.

Kenya Forest Service, National Government Administra
tive Officers, the County Government of Nandi, the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy and many other stakeholders are ensuring Nandi reaches its yearly target of 17 million trees Kerengo said.

During the exercise close to 4000 indigenous trees were planted in an exercise attended by Nandi County Wardend Augustine Langat who insisted that indigenous trees should be planted in all wetlands and public forests to encourage a variety of bird species and animals which will attract tourists in the county.

The locals agreed to support the conserved wetland and praised the public participation forums on the use of public wetlands which bore fruits as it resulted in a win-win arrangement.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Farmers in Siaya and Busia counties are smiling all the way to the bank following the introduction of technologies to cushion them against the effects of climate change.

This comes after a study conducted by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) which identified the two counties as the most vulnerable to climate change in the lake basin.

According to Siaya County Director of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Mr. Gabriel Ogot, three groups in the area have benefited from the programme where they have deployed different farming technologies to build resilience and eke a living amidst changing weather patterns.

Ogot said through support from United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Adaptation Fund, Weseso Women Group which is one of the beneficiaries has ventured into soya beans farming using solar powered irrigation.

He said through the use of a solar wheelbarrow which is locally fabricated, the group has rolled out commercial soya beans farming which is slowly transforming their l
ives.

He said that during the pilot, the farmers produced soya beans worth Sh970,000 and the earnings were set to grow tenfold with the expansion of land under the crop.

To maximise earnings, the farmers have ventured into value addition where they use soya beans flour to make chapati and mandazi, Ogot noted.

He said in Bondo Sub- County, the solar wheelbarrows have transformed the nutritional needs of the community through supporting the production of traditional African green-leaf vegetables.

Seven solar wheelbarrows have been deployed in the area, with a group named Dala Rieko spearheading the use of the technology in the area, he said.

‘The community learnt this technology from a tourist who visited this area and encouraged them to make use of solar to pump water from Lake Victoria for Irrigation,’ Ogot said.

Through capacity building and training by LVBC through the Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) project, the farmers are now able to fabricated the solar wheelbarrow for
irrigation in the area.

This, he said, was now supporting communities on the shores of Lake Victoria to diversify crop production to meet their nutritional needs.

Another beneficiary, Pambazuko women group, has ventured into poultry farming through use of solar energy.

The group has installed 10 solar powered hatcheries with a capacity of 450 eggs.

The intervention has come in handy to expand poultry farming with farmers who were struggling now reaping the benefits.

‘The group is receiving eggs from Kisumu and other neighbouring counties where they charge Sh30 per egg to hatch,’ he said.

In Busia County, the project supported apiary development, solar water drilling and nursery development.

The Director of Climate Change Dan Opilio said 42 farmers have been enlisted in a bee keeping programme and that so far, 80 beehives have been installed with the farmers realizing 15kgs of honey during the first harvest.

The farmers at Odiado in Funyula, target to upscale the bee hives having seen the benefits with
one kilogramme of honey going at Sh1,000.

Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) project was developed to increase climate resilience in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) through implementation of both regional and community-based climate change adaptation interventions and technologies.

The regional project is executed by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and implemented by five EAC partner states (Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya).

The project is financed by Adaptation Fund through UN Environment (UNEP) and has overall objective of reducing vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change in the Lake Victoria Basin.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The widespread use of wood-based charcoal and firewood for cooking among rural communities around the Lake Victoria region poses serious consequences for both the environment and public health.

As floods and drought are becoming more frequent and intense, affecting livelihoods, local communities are being encouraged to transition to clean energy sources as a proactive measure to combat climate change, air pollution, and health risks.

Traditional cooking methods using inefficient stoves emits soot (black carbon) and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the deterioration of the environment.

According to the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA), approximately 1 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent is produced annually from burning wood fuels, accounting for about 2% of global CO2 emissions.

Globally, nearly 2.3 billion people still rely on kerosene, firewood and charcoal for cooking contributing significantly to environmental pollution. Household cooking, h
eating, and lighting are responsible for up to 25% of black carbon emissions, and in countries like Kenya, cooking alone contributes 60% to 80% of these emissions.

The health implications of using traditional cooking methods are severe, particularly for women and children. The CCA estimates that nearly half a million premature deaths occur annually in Africa due to household air pollution.

Transitioning to cleaner stoves and fuels could reduce energy consumption by 30% to 60%, thereby lowering climate-harming emissions.

To address this, Nyalore Impact Enterprise, based in Homa Bay County, is providing clean energy solutions like the electric pressure cooker (Quooker Digi) and modern biomass stoves.

These innovations are helping reduce deforestation and carbon emissions in the Lake Victoria region.

Since its establishment in 2016, Nyalore Imapct has been at the forefront of advocating for clean cooking solutions for rural populations, aligning with Kenya’s ambitious targets of generating 100% of its elect
ricity from clean energy sources by 2030 and achieving 100% clean cooking by 2028.

Benter Akinyi, a 37-year-old resident of Abouro village in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, has experienced significant improvements in her life since adopting the Quooker Digi appliance in 2021.

Previously, Akinyi relied on charcoal and firewood, which not only endangered her family’s health but also contributed to environmental degradation.

‘My kitchen walls were covered in soot, and the smoke from burning firewood caused constant coughing and chest pain for my family,’ Akinyi recalled.

Since switching to the cleaner cooking option, Akinyi’s family well-being has improved while also significantly reducing household energy costs.

Initially, she used to spend about Sh.7,400 weekly on charcoal. Now, with the energy-efficient cooker, she saves up to 70% of that amount, freeing up funds for other family needs.

Similarly, Mary Ouma, a 43-year-old mother of five from Thuon Gweno Village, Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, discarded the traditio
nal three stones fireplace in 2018 for biomass cook stove that uses charcoal briquettes and pellets.

The high cost of traditional fuels and health concerns drove her family to seek alternatives, with charcoal briquettes proving to be a cost-effective and clean energy source.

‘We buy the briquettes from Nyalore Impact distributors, and they’re very affordable,’ Ouma explained. A traditional meal of maize and beans for a household of five now costs about Sh.13 using briquettes, which is nine times cheaper when cooking the same meal using wood charcoal or kerosene costing Sh85 and Sh125 respectively.

Dorothy Otieno, founder and CEO of Nyalore Impact, shared that they have sold over 500 units of electric pressure cookers and 5,000 units of biomass cookstoves to underprivileged communities, reducing carbon emissions by over 1,000 tons annually.

Currently, the cookstoves are available for retail at a cost ranging between Sh2500 to Sh.11,000. However, to make the appliances affordable Nyalore Impact is offering
installment payment choices to enable low-income households and small businesses overcome the upfront cost barrier.

‘We target majorly households in Kenya’s rural and peri-urban areas and also the small businesses, which many ordinary Kenyans depend on as their main economic activity. So to make it more affordable, we introduced a pay-go model where locals can pay a deposit and the remaining balance can be paid over a period of time as they continue using the product,’ Otieno says.

She reports that households have saved by about 50% on the cost of fuel they currently use in cooking after shifting to biomass cook stoves.

Environment experts emphasize the importance of transitioning to cleaner cooking methods to address both environmental and health challenges. Kenya continues to lose vast areas of forest due to the production of wood fuel, exacerbating climate impacts like floods, air pollution, and droughts.

Clean cooking solutions are a key part of Kenya’s Energy Transition and Investment Plan (2023-2050
), which aims to phase out traditional cooking methods and promote efficient stoves and appliances to all rural inhabitants by 2030.

Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), underscored the urgency of these efforts at the IEA’s 9th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Nairobi.

Dr. Birol urged world policymakers and governments to hasten adoption of energy-efficient policies as enshrined in the new IEA 2024 Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit. This policy seeks to double energy efficiency progress globally by 2030.

‘Despite the ambition demonstrated at COP28, and good progress in many countries and regions, we are not yet seeing the necessary progress on energy efficiency globally. Governments must speed up action, and the private sector must also play its part. We have seen strong progress, including from countries like Kenya,’ Dr Birol said.

To augment these efforts, the African Development Bank group (AFDB) committed to channel over Sh.258 billion (USD 2 bil
lion) for advancing clean cooking solutions in the continent over the next decade.

The AFDB President of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina speaking during the International Energy Agency’s Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, France in May 2024, said they will create a dedicated Africa Clean Cooking Programme through the Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to provide blended finance for clean cooking projects.

The substantial support signifies the importance of clean cooking and its potential in addressing pressing challenges like environmental sustainability.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Farmers in Siaya and Busia counties are smiling all the way to the bank following the introduction of technologies to cushion them against the effects of climate change.

This comes after a study conducted by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) which identified the two counties as the most vulnerable to climate change in the lake basin.

According to Siaya County Director of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Mr. Gabriel Ogot, three groups in the area have benefited from the programme where they have deployed different farming technologies to build resilience and eke a living amidst changing weather patterns.

Ogot said through support from United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Adaptation Fund, Weseso Women Group which is one of the beneficiaries has ventured into soya beans farming using solar powered irrigation.

He said through the use of a solar wheelbarrow which is locally fabricated, the group has rolled out commercial soya beans farming which is slowly transforming their l
ives.

He said that during the pilot, the farmers produced soya beans worth Sh970,000 and the earnings were set to grow tenfold with the expansion of land under the crop.

To maximise earnings, the farmers have ventured into value addition where they use soya beans flour to make chapati and mandazi, Ogot noted.

He said in Bondo Sub- County, the solar wheelbarrows have transformed the nutritional needs of the community through supporting the production of traditional African green-leaf vegetables.

Seven solar wheelbarrows have been deployed in the area, with a group named Dala Rieko spearheading the use of the technology in the area, he said.

‘The community learnt this technology from a tourist who visited this area and encouraged them to make use of solar to pump water from Lake Victoria for Irrigation,’ Ogot said.

Through capacity building and training by LVBC through the Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) project, the farmers are now able to fabricated the solar wheelbarrow for
irrigation in the area.

This, he said, was now supporting communities on the shores of Lake Victoria to diversify crop production to meet their nutritional needs.

Another beneficiary, Pambazuko women group, has ventured into poultry farming through use of solar energy.

The group has installed 10 solar powered hatcheries with a capacity of 450 eggs.

The intervention has come in handy to expand poultry farming with farmers who were struggling now reaping the benefits.

‘The group is receiving eggs from Kisumu and other neighbouring counties where they charge Sh30 per egg to hatch,’ he said.

In Busia County, the project supported apiary development, solar water drilling and nursery development.

The Director of Climate Change Dan Opilio said 42 farmers have been enlisted in a bee keeping programme and that so far, 80 beehives have been installed with the farmers realizing 15kgs of honey during the first harvest.

The farmers at Odiado in Funyula, target to upscale the bee hives having seen the benefits with
one kilogramme of honey going at Sh1,000.

Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) project was developed to increase climate resilience in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) through implementation of both regional and community-based climate change adaptation interventions and technologies.

The regional project is executed by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and implemented by five EAC partner states (Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya).

The project is financed by Adaptation Fund through UN Environment (UNEP) and has overall objective of reducing vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change in the Lake Victoria Basin.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya Power has launched the Kenya Power Foundation which marks a significant milestone towards the company’s commitment to undertaking sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives across the country.

The Foundation’s mandate aligns with the Government’s agenda to uplift communities, transform lives and empower generations, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that ensure its social contribution makes a positive impact in society.

The company has committed to injecting one percent of its after-tax profit every year as seed capital. The Foundation will also leverage on partnerships and donations to boost its financial capacity to undertake social impact initiatives.

The Foundation will coordinate all the Company’s Social Responsibility initiatives to widen their reach and impact on communities, mainly focusing on Energy and Environment, Education and Skills Development, and Social Investment and Community Wellness.

‘We recognize that as a business, our success is li
nked to the well-being of the communities we serve. The Foundation will allow us to consolidate and scale the impact of our corporate social initiatives, ensuring that we empower people and create long-term social value,’ said Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror.

Siror stated that in the last 10 years, Kenya Power has awarded over 30 full scholarships to bright but needy students from various communities.

The CEO added that the Company has also contributed to the building and equipping of more than 60 schools to enhance learning environments.

Further, he highlighted that the Company has planted over 600,000 trees, renovated various sports fields, and supported numerous sporting activities, among other initiatives as part of its social responsibility projects.

Speaking during the launch, Kenya Power Foundation’s Patron Logan Hambrick noted that the Foundation will provide the critical link between Kenya Power’s business and social impact across all the communities that the Com
pany serves.

This Foundation, according to the Patron, is a testament to the transformative role that corporations can play in uplifting communities.

‘We aim to operate with the belief that every Kenyan, regardless of gender, disability, or background, deserves an equal opportunity to benefit from our programs. As we launch this foundation, we would like to commit that our initiatives will be sustainable, scalable, and designed to uplift the communities we serve, further empowering them to become self-reliant,’ she reiterated.

Concurrently, Kenya Power Board of Directors Chairperson Joy Brenda Masinde said that the Foundation is born from the Company’s commitment to improve lives and drive change in education, community wellness, access to clean energy, and its relationship with the environment

‘Drawing from the many lessons that we have learned along the way, we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to implement innovative initiatives that better address the challenges facing our communitie
s,’ Masinde said.

The Chairperson called on all stakeholders to partner with the Foundation to make it impactful and sustainable.

‘We welcome all our stakeholders to partner with us to make this initiative impactful and sustainable. By working hand in hand, we can build a more sustainable future for all,’ she urged.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya Power has launched the Kenya Power Foundation which marks a significant milestone towards the company’s commitment to undertaking sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives across the country.

The Foundation’s mandate aligns with the Government’s agenda to uplift communities, transform lives and empower generations, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that ensure its social contribution makes a positive impact in society.

The company has committed to injecting one percent of its after-tax profit every year as seed capital. The Foundation will also leverage on partnerships and donations to boost its financial capacity to undertake social impact initiatives.

The Foundation will coordinate all the Company’s Social Responsibility initiatives to widen their reach and impact on communities, mainly focusing on Energy and Environment, Education and Skills Development, and Social Investment and Community Wellness.

‘We recognize that as a business, our success is li
nked to the well-being of the communities we serve. The Foundation will allow us to consolidate and scale the impact of our corporate social initiatives, ensuring that we empower people and create long-term social value,’ said Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror.

Siror stated that in the last 10 years, Kenya Power has awarded over 30 full scholarships to bright but needy students from various communities.

The CEO added that the Company has also contributed to the building and equipping of more than 60 schools to enhance learning environments.

Further, he highlighted that the Company has planted over 600,000 trees, renovated various sports fields, and supported numerous sporting activities, among other initiatives as part of its social responsibility projects.

Speaking during the launch, Kenya Power Foundation’s Patron Logan Hambrick noted that the Foundation will provide the critical link between Kenya Power’s business and social impact across all the communities that the Com
pany serves.

This Foundation, according to the Patron, is a testament to the transformative role that corporations can play in uplifting communities.

‘We aim to operate with the belief that every Kenyan, regardless of gender, disability, or background, deserves an equal opportunity to benefit from our programs. As we launch this foundation, we would like to commit that our initiatives will be sustainable, scalable, and designed to uplift the communities we serve, further empowering them to become self-reliant,’ she reiterated.

Concurrently, Kenya Power Board of Directors Chairperson Joy Brenda Masinde said that the Foundation is born from the Company’s commitment to improve lives and drive change in education, community wellness, access to clean energy, and its relationship with the environment

‘Drawing from the many lessons that we have learned along the way, we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to implement innovative initiatives that better address the challenges facing our communitie
s,’ Masinde said.

The Chairperson called on all stakeholders to partner with the Foundation to make it impactful and sustainable.

‘We welcome all our stakeholders to partner with us to make this initiative impactful and sustainable. By working hand in hand, we can build a more sustainable future for all,’ she urged.

Source: Kenya News Agency

About 40 percent of villages in Narok County have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), according to data from the Public Health Office.

Narok County Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) coordinator John Omondi said 1214 villages out of 3023 had functional toilets and hand washing facilities nearby.

Omondi said this was a big improvement as some few years ago, over 90 percent of the population were defecating in the open hence exposing the residents to communicable diseases.

The officer attributed the improvement to collaboration between the public health workers and community health promoters who moved house to house sensitizing people on the need to dig a pit latrine and install a hand washing facility at their homes.

He spoke during a field visit in Siyiapei area in Narok Central Sub County where he led a team from his office to several homesteads to confirm if there was a functional toilet.

‘We came to confirm if this village is open defecation free. We have visited several homesteads and found
a pit latrine, with a cover and handwashing facility. This is what we want in all our villages,’ he said.

Narok County Director of Health Dr. Francis Kiio who accompanied the public health officers confirmed that over 80 per cent of diseases treated in health facilities around the county were caused by poor sanitation.

Dr. Kiio encouraged all the residents to ensure personal hygiene by washing hands with water and soap regularly so as to avert communicable diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, vomiting, flu among others.

Narok county is among the 15 counties in the country that have low toilet coverage with Narok West and Narok South sub counties leading in poor toilet coverage. Which makes it a high-risk area for the spread of communicable diseases.

‘We should put more effort into the two sub-counties that are dragging behind by sensitizing them to the need to build a toilet in their homesteads,’ said the Dr. Kiio.

Source: Kenya News Agency

About 40 percent of villages in Narok County have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), according to data from the Public Health Office.

Narok County Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) coordinator John Omondi said 1214 villages out of 3023 had functional toilets and hand washing facilities nearby.

Omondi said this was a big improvement as some few years ago, over 90 percent of the population were defecating in the open hence exposing the residents to communicable diseases.

The officer attributed the improvement to collaboration between the public health workers and community health promoters who moved house to house sensitizing people on the need to dig a pit latrine and install a hand washing facility at their homes.

He spoke during a field visit in Siyiapei area in Narok Central Sub County where he led a team from his office to several homesteads to confirm if there was a functional toilet.

‘We came to confirm if this village is open defecation free. We have visited several homesteads and found
a pit latrine, with a cover and handwashing facility. This is what we want in all our villages,’ he said.

Narok County Director of Health Dr. Francis Kiio who accompanied the public health officers confirmed that over 80 per cent of diseases treated in health facilities around the county were caused by poor sanitation.

Dr. Kiio encouraged all the residents to ensure personal hygiene by washing hands with water and soap regularly so as to avert communicable diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, vomiting, flu among others.

Narok county is among the 15 counties in the country that have low toilet coverage with Narok West and Narok South sub counties leading in poor toilet coverage. Which makes it a high-risk area for the spread of communicable diseases.

‘We should put more effort into the two sub-counties that are dragging behind by sensitizing them to the need to build a toilet in their homesteads,’ said the Dr. Kiio.

Source: Kenya News Agency