- According to the governor players in the private sector and government, must devise an affordable alternative to utilise waste.
- The leaders spoke during a private sector symposium in Western Kenya on Friday.
Image: FILE
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o wants governments to systematically phase out pit latrines in the peri-urban and rural areas.
Nyong'o opines that pit latrines may be similar to open defecation during rainy seasons.
According to the governor, players in the private sector and government must devise an affordable alternative to utilise waste and turn it into a viable resource like in developed countries.
His sentiments were echoed by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, who said the government must integrate waste management in all sectors.
Otuoma wondered where truck drivers and bodaboda riders across the country relieve themselves because their sheds have no restrooms.
"When there is a traffic snarl-up of trucks at the Busia Border Point both in Malaba and Busia-Kisumu road, where do those drivers relieve themselves as they wait to be cleared?" he asked.
Western Kenya is characterised by varying open defecation and fewer individual toilets.
However, most improved toilets are not durable because they are constructed on loose soils and tend to collapse during floods.
The leaders spoke during a private sector symposium on Western Kenya on Friday.
The theme of the two-day USAID-funded forum was, "Catalysing private sector participation and investment in sanitation and menstrual hygiene management in Western Kenya."
According to Paul Orengo, chief party USAID Western Kenya sanitation project, the forum aims to forge a common approach to multiplying investments in sanitation and menstrual hygiene management in Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori and Siaya.
Orengo further said they aim at supporting improved coordination of stakeholders to strengthen the policy and regulatory environments while increasing the capacity of counties to effect lasting change in sanitation and menstrual hygiene management.
"In dire situations like this only collective responsibility can transform sanitation and menstrual hygiene management in the region," he said
"In this workshop, we have an opportunity to develop intentional collaborations among key stakeholders to tackle fundamental challenges affecting sanitation and menstrual hygiene."
He added that effective partnerships provide an opportunity to develop innovative solutions to sanitation and menstrual hygiene challenges.
"Improving sanitation and menstrual hygiene status in Western Kenya is, therefore, a multi-stage agenda that calls for individuals, organisations, partnerships to front for sustainable strategies to marshal the necessary resources, skills, ideas and even platforms," he said.
The workshop, he noted will therefore provide a dialogue platform to delegates drawn from the county governments, the private sector, innovators, entrepreneurs and donors.
He says the delegates will lay the foundation for structured engagement to establish and build stronger partnerships towards improved managed sanitation and menstrual hygiene.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)