Kisii county government has been challenged to help construct toilets to residents who cannot afford the facility, to prevent outbreak of diseases resulting from the ongoing El-Nino rains.
Speaking on Thursday in Kisii town during the marking of World Toilets Day, former civic leader Steve Arika accused both the two levels of governments of overlooking the welfare of poor Kenyans who cannot afford a toilet.
Mr Arika noted due to lack of toilets in some homes in the county, residents would suffer a major health blow due to poor sanitation.
“Every home should have a toilet more especially in this season of El-Nino rains because of possible outbreak of diseases. The government must take care of their people through construction of a toilet to each of the homes that cannot afford the facility due to poverty,” he said.
He challenged the public health officers to conduct civic education to Kisii residents on the preventive measures against outbreak of diseases.
He also urged the government to be ready in handling of diseases that would emerge as a result of the heavy rains.
Some of the diseases caused by poor hygiene include cholera and typhoid. Also, malaria is widely spread during heavy rains due to high breeding rate.
He, however, urged residents to shy away from using bushes in place of toilets for call of nature, noting the outdated norm puts the lives of Kenyans at risk.
“Let the government prepare itself fully because the effects of the El-Nino rains we are experiencing are adverse. Residents need to be sensitised on the preventive measures against outbreak of diseases. This is a prerogative of the public health department.”
The politician asked the government to unblock the drainage system to avoid leakages from sewages that can compromise the health of residents.
Arika owns a chain of public toilets in the Kisii’s main stage.
The county government of Kisii allocated Sh50 million after the passage of Emergency Fund Bill 2015 in the county assembly plus the national government’s allocation of Sh30 million. The funds were meant to mitigate effects of the El-Nino rains in the county.
The county government has already contracted 1,100 youth to assist in mitigating effects of the rains.
In a media brief, the chairman of the County’s El Nino Technical Committee, Zablon Ongori, said the youth groups comprising 20 individuals in each of the 45 wards will conduct emergency repairs of roads, opening up blocked drains, garbage collection, cleaning markets and attending any emergencies within their respective wards.
“These groups of youth have been contracted following a competitive process in line with procurement rules. They will be deployed to offer rapid response across the county to ensure economic activity is not disrupted. In Kisii Town, we have contracted up to 200 youth,” said Ongori.