Kuria also challenged the government to provide safe water for Kenyans, noting that poor households spent an average of 42 minutes per day collecting water for their personal and domestic use.
“Hygiene defines the dignity of a human being so we can’t be proud as Kenyans if we live in unsanitary conditions. We need to define our dignity as a people and as citizens of Kenya by how hygienic we are,” he said.
Kuria further noted that residents of informal settlements paid up to 10 times the recommended rates for water of suspicious quality.
The NGOs also urged the government to invest in proper water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
“Nationally, only 57 percent of households use water from sources that are considered safe. A majority of households residing in Nairobi obtain water from water kiosks, illegal connections and water delivery services,” noted Okioga.
The organisations launched a campaign dubbed ‘hygienic cities’ so as to create awareness on the need for proper hygiene.
The campaign which was launched by Local Government Assistant Minister Lewis Nguyai will see seven toilets fully fitted with Wash United star posters featuring football stars Macdonald Mariga and Didier Drogba.
There are a total of 60 public Ikotoilets countrywide.
“The campaign not only raises the profile of sanitation and hygiene but also increases the public consciousness on the importance of using toilets responsibly and washing hands with soap after using the toilets,” said Okioga.
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