Poor sanitation and hygiene practices, especially stemming from the ongoing practice of open defecation, lead to enduring health issues. These issues encompass frequent cases of diarrhoea, heightened medical costs, decreased productivity at work and school, as well as a loss of dignity, among other consequences.
Magarini Sub-County, with a sanitation coverage rate of only 53%, is a key target area for intervention. It, alongside Malindi, Kaloleni, and Ganze Sub-Counties, has been included in the Kenya Sanitation Enabling Environment Project (KSEEP) Phase II. This project, spearheaded by the County Department of Health in collaboration with USAID and UNICEF, aims to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in the County by the conclusion of 2024.
Currently, 32 officials from Magarini are undergoing training on Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) protocols. This training is devised to bolster their capabilities and formulate targeted action plans for implementation, equipping them to effectively carry out their duties and educate others, such as Community Health Promoters and Village Sanitation Committees.
The administration of Kilifi County is dedicated to upholding the constitutional obligation of ensuring a clean and secure environment through sufficient sanitation initiatives and maintaining reasonable sanitation norms for all inhabitants.