Migori: Migori County Executive Committee Member for Health (CECM) Caleb Opondi has challenged residents of Awendo Sub-County to end the habit of open defecation in sugarcane plantations. The CCM emphasized the need for every homestead to have a clean and accessible toilet, highlighting significant improvements in the county's sanitation coverage.

According to Kenya News Agency, Opondi made these remarks during the World Toilet Day (WTD) celebrations at Awendo Primary School grounds under the theme 'We will always need the toilet.' He reported that Migori's latrine coverage stands at 83.22 percent, with handwashing facilities at 65.54 percent and households using treated water at 84.42 percent. These improvements are credited to the efforts of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), in collaboration with the national government and partners' support.

Opondi expressed concern that Awendo Sub-County lags with only 67 percent of households having pit latrines. He urged every household to construct decent latrines to reduce water-borne diseases and improve hygiene. He also highlighted the county's priority to provide child-friendly toilets in all ECD centers to safeguard learners' health.

Migori County Chief Officer in charge of Public Health and Sanitation, Ms. Marbel Chanzu, explained that Awendo Sub-County was chosen to host this year's event due to its low latrine coverage. She stated that 80 percent of illnesses treated in Migori County are WASH-related and called on the remaining 33 percent of Awendo's population to improve their sanitation.

Chanzu commended the support of partners such as UNICEF, AMREF, Health Africa, Kenya Red Cross, Plan International, Evidence Action, and Care International in achieving total sanitation coverage in the county. Care International Kenya, represented by Newton Oluoch, highlighted their efforts in distributing water purifiers to vulnerable households through the Children's Safe Drinking Water Programme.

Additionally, Evidence Action NGO Programme Officer Andrew Gusaka revealed that the organization has installed 2,530 chlorine dispensers at communal water points across rural Migori, benefiting approximately 300,000 residents. These dispensers are designed to be free, accurate, and simple to use, ensuring safe drinking water for the community.