County Chief Officer for Health Dr. Gregory Ganda officially launching the “Fresh Life Toilet” to mark World Toilet Day 2020 celebrations at Nyalenda”A” Destiny Shapers CBO grounds. The event whose theme was “Sustainable Sanitation and Climate” featured exhibitions of various latrine Technologies and revolved around clean water and hand Washing to stop COVID-19 (Picture Jacob Owiti)
By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu county marked the world toilet day 2020 to create awareness of the people living without access to safely managed sanitation in a colorful event held at Nyalenda A in Kisumu Central sub-county.
The 2020 global celebration is about taking action to tackle the sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal six with this year’s theme dubbed sustainable sanitation and climate change.
Supported by partners including KIWASCO, CARE Kenya, KIWASH, WSUP, World Vision, living water practical Action, Fresh life among other Community-based organizations, Kisumu county is committed to championing improved sanitation and safely managed toilet.
Speaking during the event, the chief guest Dr. Gregory Ganda, Chief officer health, called on everyone to have sustainable sanitation, alongside clean water and handwashing facilities, to help protect and maintain health security and to stop the spread of deadly infectious diseases, emphasizing on the need to keep up with the laid down protocols on COVID-19.
Dr. Ganda reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to working with private partners to help close the sanitation gap and provide sustainable access to sanitation services across the county. He applauded the new technologies incorporated in improving sanitation in informal settlements and at the village level.
The chief officer also led the event in unveiling a new toilet put up by Sanergy manufactures called Fresh Life toilets. The initiative is set to accelerate safe sanitation for a healthy sustainable environment in informal settlements.
The event also celebrated best three providers in sanitation including Vuka sasa, Gasia poa and Blue stars, who received trophies and certificates of good performance.
Earlier on the M-Pesa Foundation and Practical Action conducted a groundbreaking for the construction of an ablution block in Nyalenda.
The event was graced by the county director for health and sanitation Mr. Fredrick Oluoch, County public health Officer Mr. Joel Abong’o County health promotion officer Mr. Jeremiah Ongwara, county officials and members of the community.
