Lodwar, 31 October 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Turkana County government is set to implement the Kenya Sanitation Enabling Environment Project (KSEEP) 2, proposes targeting 267 villages for hygiene and sanitation activities.

The USAID-funded project, implemented by Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) Kenya, will focus on Turkana West and Turkana South Sub-counties, emphasizing community-led total sanitation (CLTS).

Despite progress in recent years, Turkana County still faces significant challenges in sanitation. According to the 2019 Kenya Census, 68.1% of the county’s population practices open defecation.

KSEEP 1, implemented from 2022 to 2023, successfully certified 174 villages as open defecation-free (ODF). KSEEP 2 aims to build on this progress and further improve sanitation practices in the target areas.

County officials and project representatives emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration to achieve sustainable sanitation outcomes. They highlighted the need to address challenges in remote and insecure areas, such as Suguta and Aroo, where progress has been slower.

By improving sanitation and hygiene practices, Turkana County aims to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases and improve the overall health and well-being of its residents.