Migori County Struggles with Low Latrine Usage, Health Risks Loom

MIGORI—The Department of Health in Migori County has raised concerns over the critically low use of latrines, identifying the region as significantly lagging in sanitation practices.

According to Kenya News Agency, the County Executive Committee member responsible for health, Migori has a mere 30 percent coverage of latrine or toilet facilities, which poses a dire risk of disease outbreak in the community.

Nyerere highlighted that specific areas such as Nyatike, Kuria West, Kuria East, Awendo, Suna West, and remote parts of Uriri Constituency are particularly affected by this sanitation crisis. The lack of adequate latrine facilities has forced many residents to resort to unsafe practices like defecating in open fields and plantations, exacerbating the public health threat in these regions.

Despite the natural need for proper sanitation facilities, some community members hold traditional beliefs that deter them from using latrines, associating the mixing of feces with illness and misfortune. Such beliefs, prevalent among certain traditional groups and followers of unconventional religious sects, have been critiqued by health experts as harmful myths that undermine public health initiatives.

To combat these challenges, Migori County health officials are determined to enforce public health laws rigorously, mandating the construction of latrines to curb the spread of sanitation-related diseases. An extensive awareness campaign is underway, aiming to educate residents about the importance of latrine use and to debunk the misconceptions hindering compliance.

This initiative also targets improving sanitation in towns and marketplaces within the county, where improper fecal disposal has been linked to the spread of diseases like acute diarrhea and dysentery. The county government’s goal is to achieve 100 percent latrine coverage, a critical step toward safeguarding public health and preventing the transmission of waterborne illnesses.