Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has said his government will ensure that all public primary schools have enough toilets as one way of improving sanitation in learning institutions.
Mbugua said lack of sufficient toilets at public schools was compromising the health of not only schoolchildren but also the community around the schools.
Speaking at his office on Friday when he met representatives of the Wash Hands campaign, Mbugua said availability of enough and clean toilets will ensure that children study from a clean and hygienic environment.
“We want to ensure that all primary schools have enough toilet facilities so that we can enhance the standards of hygiene and reduce the spread of infections like waterborne diseases among our school-going children.
"The government will mostly target schools in rural areas because they are the affected with the shortage of toilets,” said Mbugua.
Mbugua added that apart from constructing toilets, they will also ensure that all public schools have access to piped and clean water so that the hand-washing culture can be enhanced in schools.
“Most of our schools, especially in rural areas rely on water from rivers and this makes it hard for children to wash their hands after visiting toilets due to lack of water and that is why we must also try to supply water to schools which do not have,” he said.
He thanked the Wash Hands campaign for partnering with his government in the provision of toilets to schools.