• KNCCI President Richard Ngatia says that private sector has the capacity and know-how to develop new and innovative products to solve common sanitation challenges.
• He says this will present a lot of opportunities in construction and plumbing services, enterprises, sanitary pad manufacturers and provision of water recycling companies.
Businesses have been urged to consider channelling most of their resources to issues surrounding menstrual health in the knowledge that good hygiene and sanitation are vital for general wellness and economic wellbeing.
President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Richard Ngatia, says that the private sector has the capacity and know-how to develop new and innovative products to solve common sanitation challenges such as access to clean water, waste disposal and menstrual hygiene management.
Speaking in Kisumu during the launch of a workshop to deliberate on Water, Sanitation and Menstrual Hygiene (WASH), Ngatia urged private businesses to take WASH seriously saying that it presents a lot of opportunities in construction and plumbing services, enterprises, sanitary pad manufacturers and provision of water recycling companies.
"Pursuant to SDG 6 on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, investment in WASH will bridge financial gaps in achieving sanitation targets, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations," Ngatia said.
The KNCCI boss also said that WASH presents opportunities in chemical supplies and opportunities to artisans and technicians since they will be contracted to build water and sanitation facilities.
"Most importantly, the project will support MSMEs by exploiting local knowledge and skills and building functional capacities for service provision. Technicians, artisans and women groups will be part of the value chains that will manufacture safe sanitation and MHM products."
Ngatia further called on financial institutions to support MSMEs through credit and grants, marketing support, training and skill enhancement for market preparedness to plunge into the WASH value chains.
Speaking at the same event, USAID representative Dave Rodgers called for more resource allocation to WASH noting that over 1.7 million people globally still struggle to access proper sanitation services.
A Ministry of Health study conducted nationwide revealed that 46 per cent of the participants used disposable pads, 6 per cent used reusable pads while 7 per cent relied on old clothes, pieces of blanket, chicken feathers, mud and even newspapers.
The study noted that in some rural parts of Western Kenya, girls reported shock, confusion, shame and fear during menstruation due to a lack of accessible and accurate information about sexual maturation during early adolescence.
Up to 54 per cent of Kenyan girls reported challenges with access to Menstrual Hygiene Management products with 22 per cent of school-going girls indicating that they purchased their own sanitary products.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o hailed the WASH project saying that it promotes dialogue between counties and the private sector.
The project is set to run for five years and will take place in the Lake Region Economic Block Counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Homabay and Kisii.