24 per cent of the Narok population defecates in the open, exposing the people to communicable diseases, Narok County Public Health Director Edward Tankoi has said. Tankoi, who spoke during a planning meeting for the World Toilet Day (WTD) that will be held at the Olokurto area in Narok North Sub County, said the county is among the 15 counties in the country that have low toilet coverage. The director said statistics show that Narok West sub-county is leading with 49%, followed closely by Narok South at 36% in the use of bushes instead of toilets. ‘We should put more effort into the two sub-counties that are dragging behind by sensitising them to the need to build a toilet in their homesteads,’ he said. The committee comprised stakeholders in the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organisations that deal with health, religious leaders, and community representatives. Speaking during the meeting, the county Chief Officer in charge of Promotion of Health Services, Ms. Lucy Kashu, said Narok County is among the top 15 counties that do not use formal toilets, which makes it a high-risk area for the spread of communicable diseases. Kashu added that WTD this year should be directed at creating more awareness to reduce the number of people who defecate in the open. ‘The county government will work closely with the organising committee to ensure that the day is a success. This year’s event will be graced by Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu alongside the CECM for health and sanitation,’ she continued. The committee also set a budget of around 1.2 million to facilitate the day and ensure it was a success. The day will be commemorated on November 19th in the Olokurto area of Narok North Sub County.
Source: Kenya News Agency