Bush toilets endanger 20,000 villagers

Kakamega County Environment CEC Peninah Mukabaneh is flanked by residents and pupils at Ituti Secondary School in Kakamega County during the launch of Open Defecation Free Project, an initiative of Living Water Service Center in parts of Butere Sub-county on June 29th, 2016. Families have been encouraged to practice sanitation by making sure they construct latrines in their homes. By Chrispen Sechere.

About 20,000 people out of 166,000 Butere residents relieve themselves in the bush. Kevin Lumwanji, a Public Health officer, said the situation exposes residents to  cholera, typhoid.  

While leading a sanitation drive yesterday Lumwanji said: “It is time the community and health workers in government and private sector join hands to improve the situation”.

The drive, led by Living Water International a health organisation earmark 11 satellite villages of 385 for sensitisation on sanitation and hygiene in relation to toilet use. -Robert Amalemba