Residents in Kisii and its environs have been urged to observe hygiene especially during the raining to avoid contracting of diseases.
According to Kisii County’s Health Services Cabinet Secretary (CS), Sarah Angima Omache, there is need for increased public awareness campaigns on the importance of toilet use and water boiling and keeping general hygiene levels high to curb spread of contagious diseases.
Speaking today from her office, the CS said the county was at a high risk of outbreak of diseases like diarrhoea and cholera if drastic measures are not put in place more so during this rainy season.
She noted that treatment of diseases spread through poor hygiene and sanitation costs the county government Sh0.5 billion annually with children under the age of five being the most affected.
“The county government spends over half a billion shillings annually in treatment of water-borne diseases that could be easily avoided. This money could be put to development if everyone adhered to proper hygiene and sanitation,” she said.
She also called upon all the residents to keep in mind that there are many diseases that are spread or that come due to poor hygiene levels that can erupt at any time thus called on them to be cautious.