The Nakuru public health department will use Sh4 million to provide sanitary towels to 50,000 girls in the county. Nakuru chief public health officer Samuel King’ori said they were already in the process of distributing the towels to school children. Speaking to the press in his office on Thursday, King’ori noted that poor sanitary facilities, including lack of proper toilets, were affecting the students in schools. "The lack of access to water supply and lack of facilities for disposing off menstrual waste at the schools is worrying,” he said. “In places lacking waste disposal infrastructure, our officers noted that sometimes it’s common to see used feminine hygiene products on public streets, playing grounds or relaxing places and this can be potentially dangerous to public health.” He noted that incorrect disposal of used sanitary products can result in clogged toilets and breakdowns in sanitation systems. This increases the operation and maintenance costs and can also lead to public health problems, he said. King’ori said the government will this financial year spend Sh8m in school water sanitation and hygiene. "Tender for the construction of schools toilet blocks, which is one block with six compartments, in every sub county to be a model have already been floated. The schools will also be supplied with water tanks for rainwater harvesting or storage and hygiene messages will be put on the walls, " he said.

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