Six million people in the country are still defecating in the open, data from the Health Ministry shows.
The habit is more common in Wajir and Turkana counties where between 76-100 per cent of the people defecate in the open.
Nationally, only 27 per cent of the population have access to private and improved sanitation in urban areas while 32 per cent of those living in rural areas have the same access.
Speaking during the launch of the Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene 2016-2030 Report yesterday, Health CS Cleopa Mailu said the framework will help in ensuring Kenyans live in a clean environment.
Mailu noted that the impact of poor sanitation has a great impact to the economy. It is estimated that Kenya loses about Sh27 billion annually due to poor sanitation.
“This is an amount enough to build and maintain first-class health facilities,” Mailu said.
Urban settlements in the country are characterised by uncontrolled, unsightly and indiscriminate waste disposal which is leading to clogged storm drains and massive pollution of water resources.
Some of the diseases that are associated with poor sanitation and hygiene standards include Cholera, Hepititis A and Influenza.
Mandera, Mombasa and Nakuru counties are some of the counties that have been affected following outbreaks of the diseases.
About 39 children have died from an Influenza outbreak and 296 other cases reported in Nakuru. In Mombasa, 21 cases of hepatitis were recorded. In Mandera, six people have died as a result of the cholera outbreak reported five weeks ago.
Mailu said the framework will outline key principles, strategies and actions while putting emphasis on increasing public and private sector investments to improve both rural and urban sanitation.
“We are going to ensure that all launched the documents are implemented,” Mailu added.
Other documents that will be used to support the framework include; The Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Strategic Framework, The Nation ODF 2020 Campaign Roadmap and the Prototype County Sanitation and Hygiene Bill.