Kisumu County loses over Sh740 million annually to treat water borne related illnesses.
This was revealed on Thursday by Kisumu County Assembly Health Committee, Deputy Chairperson, Faridah Salim.
Salim said it is a pity that the county is still battling with sensitising residents to stop defecating in the open, a practice she says pulls the county backwards in its efforts to fight water borne related diseases.
In an interview with this writer Salim said that the county government is developing laws to fight such but she was quick to note that the laws will only be useful if residents adhere to them.
She called on members of the public to take action and report neighbours defecating in the open.
Salim divulged that the county has a Cholera Preparedness Plan and has a budget allocated to cater in case there is an out break.
She noted that if the public could make attempts to eliminate such illnesses, the money used for treatment could be directed to other development agendas.
She urged county residents to avoid habits which put them at risk.
“Our behaviour impacts our lives. We need to take care of the decisions we make,” said Salim.
The nominated MCA observed that Nyando Sub-County has the highest number of people affected with open defecation.
“Nyando Sub-County has in the past had high number of cholera out-breaks and other water borne related diseases,” said Salim.