Town set to be flush with toilets from water firm

Eldowas Managing Director Peter Biwott flags off a vehicle during a road show to mark World Toilet Day in Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) has installed mobile toilets that will serve residents of low-income settlements and highly populated commercial areas.

Peter Biwot, the Eldowas managing director said improving sanitation around communities remains the company's steadfast commitment.

"We are committed to providing adequate quality water and sanitation services efficiently for all through energised passionate staff working together with commitment," said Biwott.

Speaking during the World Toilet Day in Eldoret town where safe toilets were established to enhance sanitation, Biwott said the company is working in collaboration with partners to ensure safe sanitation to reduce waterborne diseases.

"Many experts deem a 'safe toilet as a super vaccine', described as the first line of defence against water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, and cholera," said Biwott.

He said Eldowas is boosting sanitation and environmental conservation as it delivers services.

Its conservation strategies are geared towards the protection of water towers across the country and also ensuring good sanitation to ensure quality health of residents.

Biwott said the company planted 3,500 tree seedlings at Kaptagat forest to enhance its catchment area and also gave more seedlings to customers to support environmental conservation strategies.

He said the firm wants to maintain a clean environment to foster economic development.

He stated that safe sanitation will boost the economic status of the population in both urban and rural areas by reducing preventable diseases and spending on healthcare.

"Promoting safely managed sanitation can save thousands of lives. Globally, 4.2 billion people do not have access to safely managed sanitation," he said.

John Barorot, the Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor lauded the initiatives by Eldowas saying the county loses approximately Sh533 million annually due to poor sanitation.

"This includes losses due to premature deaths, healthcare costs and low productivity," he said.