Reclaim all grabbed public toilets, Joho says

Governor Hassan Joho has said all public toilets grabbed by private developers should be repossessed.

The governor was speaking at the weekend during an event organised by Maji na Ufanisi, an NGO, to celebrate Kongowea Market Water and Sanitation (Komawasa), which won the Africa Sanitation Youth Award.

Komawasa, a youth group that manages toilets in Kongowea, was feted for rehabilitating the market's public toilets in a model that the governor said will be replicated elsewhere.

"This award won by Komawasa proves that the youth can transform society if given a chance. I therefore direct that all public toilets as well as Majengo and Macnon markets, be rehabilitated and given to the youth to run them," Mr Joho said.

He said the county intends to purchase a bio-digester machine that will help reduce the seven tonnes of waste produced at Kongowea market every day.

Well done

He said the machine will be managed by youths, noting that if properly handled, the amount of waste generated can be used to produce enough energy to light up the market.

The youth were given their award by Unicef's Water and Sanitation Specialist, Singh Shivanarain, who applauded Komawasa for scooping first position, beating over 1,000 contestants.

Shivanarain said the project is self-sustaining and life changing, noting that it should be a brand adopted all over the country.

Project sponsors Maji Na Ufanisi Board Chairman Peter Maina, who received the award, said the WASH programme in Kongowea has brought its good share of rewards and recognition, after rehabilitating over 60 toilets at the market.