Maragua: As Kenya joined the rest of the world in marking Global Handwashing Day on Wednesday, the government and other education stakeholders have been urged to adopt modern construction techniques that promote hygiene and efficient water use in schools. The event, held at Kirimiri Primary and Secondary Schools in Maragua Constituency, Murang'a County, brought together leaders, public health experts, and development partners, who emphasized the need for continuous hygiene education in learning institutions to reduce the spread of preventable diseases.
According to Kenya News Agency, one of the key facilitators of the drive, Spanish medical expert Dr. Victorio Torres, said the event served as a reminder that sanitation and hygiene were inseparable, and that sustainable hygiene habits begin in schools. "It is highly effective to combine sanitation and hygiene so as to comply with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, which recommend washing hands with soap and running water for at least twenty seconds," he said.
Dr. Torres highlighted the modern setups being introduced in school toilets, featuring soap dispensers and push-up taps designed to minimize water wastage. He emphasized that diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, COVID-19, pneumonia, and intestinal worm infections could all be traced to poor hygiene and sanitation practices. Promoting proper handwashing, according to him, could save thousands of lives and reduce the burden on the health system.
Spanish Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Jaime Moreno applauded the collaboration between Kenya and Spain, describing it as an important step in strengthening medical diplomacy, boosting local infrastructure, and supporting Kenya's goal of achieving universal health coverage. "This partnership goes beyond hygiene. It is a bridge of friendship between our countries and one that contributes to better health, education, and even economic growth," said the envoy.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, who hosted the event, said her office has partnered with Spain through the NG-CDF to construct modern toilets and handwashing facilities in several schools across Maragua. She announced plans to replicate the model in more institutions to ensure that hygiene and sanitation are mainstreamed into education. "If we enhance hygiene, we will save resources that can instead go into development," Wamaua said.
County health officials from Murang'a Department of Public Health also attended the event and stressed the importance of considering sanitation and water efficiency during the design and construction of school toilets. County Director of Health Dr. James Mburu noted that the county has recorded increasing cases of diarrhoeal diseases among school-going children, often linked to poor hygiene and contaminated water sources.
The officials further recommended installing wall-mounted soap dispensers, automatic push taps, and water recycling systems to minimize wastage and promote hygiene. They also took the parents and students present through a step-by-step guide to washing hands with running water and soap.