Locals mark World Funan Qumbi, Marsabit County. Locals urged to use toilets. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Lack of water and improper waste disposal are a big threat to the lives of residents in Marsabit County.Marsabit deputy county director Hassan Halakhe said only 37 percent of Marsabit residents use toilets as the rest are at risk of contracting diseases due to poor sanitation.Mr. Halakhe said the use of bushes instead of toilets is a big threat to the lives of the locals due to the risk of water-borne diseases.Speaking to the locals at Funan Qumbi in Moyale, Mr. Halakhe said the locals are at risk of contracting Cholera, typhoid, and ailments caused by poor hygiene.“We are asking you to join hands and dig pit latrines. It is shameful that we are defecating in bushes and areas near rivers,” he said.North Horr Public Health officer Denge Kuro said the residents are at risk as they are fetching unclean water from rivers where animals also drink from.Mr. Kuro said poor hygiene has made lives in Marsabit harder and increased poverty levels as residents have been left treating themselves after contracting poor hygiene-related diseases.“Am urging the residents to treat the water. Water treatment chemicals are available at no costs at the County’s health facilities,” said the health officer.