At least 15 counties in Kenya continue to struggle with open defecation issues.
Kenya is among 26 countries responsible for 90% of the world’s open defecation cases.
Daniel Kiragu, Amref Kenya’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program Manager, reported that 10% of Kenya’s population still practices open defecation. “Out of the 5.6 million people affected, 85% are concentrated in these 15 counties, which face a high prevalence of open defecation and related diseases such as cholera,” Kiragu said.
The counties particularly affected include Baringo, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale, Mandera, Marsabit, Narok, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, and West Pokot.
In Kilifi, Deputy Governor Flora Chibule announced that three sub-counties—Rabai, Kilifi North, and Kilifi South—have been declared open defecation-free. “We are working to ensure the remaining sub-counties achieve this status by the end of the year,” Chibule stated. However, parts of Malindi, Magarini, Ganze, and Kaloleni still struggle with the practice.
Chibule emphasized that the goal is not to implement expensive toilets or latrines but to ensure that people have safe, secure, and environmentally friendly places to defecate. “We urge county governments and stakeholders to increase their budget allocations for this cause.”
In Tana River, Health Executive Joshua Jarah highlighted that frequent flooding and a significant pastoralist population, which is constantly moving, have hindered progress. “Floods have been a major obstacle, but we are addressing this issue,” Jarah said.
Kwale Health Executive Francis Gwama noted that many villages in the county still do not use toilets. “We have initiated sensitization programs to educate locals on the importance of proper sanitation,” he said.
The Kenya Sanitation Alliance reported that over 5,000 villages across Kenya have now been declared open defecation-free. The KSA has recommended that each of the 15 affected counties allocate Sh10 million annually for toilet construction in the villages.
