There are several policies on the need for inclusive public toilets in Kenya. However, there is minimal or absolute lack of implementation of some of the policies.
For example, in the Sikhendu market within Kiminini Constituency, Trans Nzoia County, hundreds of traders and their customers do not have the much-needed courtesy facilities.
Despite generating revenue for the County Government of Trans Nzoia, the traders who pay Ksh20 daily do not get value for their money because they lack sanitation facilities.
Lilian Naliaka, a cereals seller at the market says it is not proper for the county government to continue collecting revenue from them daily and fail to put in place public toilets.
“We have been pleading with the county government to intervene in this situation but nothing has been done. We expected that after paying revenues, it is the responsibility of the government to give us services,” Naliaka said.
Traders in the busy and fast-growing market are forced to visit nearby residential plots or hotels to relieve themselves whenever they are pressed.
No water
Uasin Gishu News established that aside from the lack of public toilets, the Sikhendu market does not have water as well.
Moses Wetala, a fruits and vegetables seller notes that running his business is becoming expensive because he has to buy clean water every day.
“To run a business like mine, you have to be clean always. Lack of water in this market has forced me to part ways with good money to buy water daily but suppose we had water, that money would be my profit,” Wetala said.
Responding to the traders’ concerns, Sikhendu ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Andrew Kutitila said money has since been allocated for the construction of toilets and the connection of water.
“I know this is a devolved function and in this financial year, we have set aside Ksh1.5 million for the construction of toilets. From September, we shall start the work,” Kutitila said.
The lack of sanitation facilities is in contravention of Article 42 of the constitution of Kenya and goes against the sixth goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
