The Trans Nzoia government has intensified efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases by investing more resources in safe water supply and sanitation projects across the region.
Health and sanitation executive Christopher Lorot said the department is working with partners and local leaders to reduce cases of bilharzia, jiggers and intestinal worms in several areas, with the latest efforts taking place in Keiyo ward, Kwanza subcounty.
The county plans to step up similar interventions in all other wards that continue to record cases of NTDs.
Lorot spoke during a documentation exercise on the strides made in eliminating NTDs in the county through various interventions implemented in collaboration with partners.
He said some wards had a higher prevalence of NTDs and required additional interventions to eliminate the diseases.
“Keiyo ward had a prevalence rate of two per cent for bilharzia. Through boreholes and the rehabilitation of Asegam Dam, the community now has clean water and cases have reduced,” Lorot said.
He said the county has established an NTD WASH Technical Working Group, bringing together government and non-governmental partners.
“We meet regularly to monitor health issues. The county assembly has also allocated Sh3 million for water and sanitation interventions,” Lorot said.
He said the department had recommended the procurement of praziquantel tablets to support treatment and plans were underway to upgrade laboratories to test for bilharzia.
Trans Nzoia county NTD coordinator Norbert Musundi said the county is preparing key documents on the initiative, including the NTD WASH Coordination Framework, an Anti-Jigger Strategic Plan, and a School Water and Sanitation Plan.
“We also have the Environmental Health and Sanitation Act of 2022, which is due for adoption by the county assembly,” he said.
Musundi applauded partners such as Amref Health Africa, Global Health Alliance Kenya, End Fund and the African Institute for Health Development for supporting mass drug administration, sensitisation and behaviour change activities.
“There is a close link between water, sanitation, hygiene and NTDs. Without safe water, we cannot succeed,” he said.
Kwanza subcounty public health officers Mercy Obonyo and Maxwell Kisanya said the rehabilitation of Asegam Dam had reduced the spread of bilharzia.
“The dam was open and children swam there. Now it is fenced and safe,” Obonyo said.
Kisanya said a borehole at Keiyo market now serves more than 3,000 households.
“Before, women and children walked two kilometres for water, but now the community has clean water at its doorstep,” he said.
Obonyo said the water point also serves Keiyo Dispensary, the police post and the chief’s office.
A community member and local teacher, Irine Aswani, said the project had transformed both the community and school life.
“We used to travel kilometres for water. Pupils missed classes due to stomach problems. Now the school is full and children are healthy,” she said.
Aswani said sensitisation meetings and school health clubs had strengthened WASH practices.
“We have handwashing stations across the school. Pupils wash their hands after using the latrines and before eating. Health has really improved,” she said.
Jackson Omukundi, the area community health promoter, said community members had taken ownership of the project by contributing monthly towards the maintenance and repair of the facility.
“Even though the water is free, we protect the facility. We want it to last,” he said.
Omukundi called for greater collaboration between the county government, national government, partners and well-wishers.
“We need more water points to eliminate bilharzia, intestinal worms and other NTDs. Safe water is the key,” he said.
The partners’ representative, Noelah Awa, praised the progress made in reducing bilharzia and intestinal worm cases in Trans Nzoia.
She said the county had recorded significant improvements, particularly in hygiene and sanitation.
“Initially there were cases of bilharzia, worms and jiggers in Keiyo ward. These were among the most prevalent diseases in this county, but we have seen great improvements,” Awa said.
