Nominated Kisumu assembly MCA Farida Salim has said the county loses Sh740 million annually due to poor sanitation.
MCA Salim was speaking at the county assembly on Tuesday during the motion on the status of sanitation in Kisumu County. She said the Sh740 million is lost in premature death, healthcare costs and productivity.
"Madam speaker one of major causes of poor sanitation is poor toilet coverage and poor sewer system especially in the informal settlements," said Salim.
She added, "We are aware sanitation is constitutional right in Kenya whose responsibility rests on the county government. Sanitation and hygiene programme is only possible when there is complete absence of open defecation."
According to the committee of health vice chairperson, in Kisumu County 31.3 per cent of people use unimproved latrines, 30 per cent use improved latrine, 25.9 per cent share latrine and 12.9 per cent defecate in open spaces.
"Kisumu county has a total of 1,490 villages out of which only 483 have been triggered with only 354 progressing to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status," said Nominated MCA Salim.
Salim said, "Honourable members, the county sanitation programme needs to be improved. The current 30 per cent needs to be revised towards 60 per cent."
She said the 6.9 million allocated for health is a drop in the ocean adding that allocation needs to be looked into. Wawidhi Ward MCA Moses Ochele said assembly spread to community members the harm of ODF on health.
Nominated MCA Lydia Ndege said Kisumu County needs to set proper planning in terms of sewer system to improve sanitation.