Kisumu, like many cities in the developing world, has increased burden of urban informal settlements where access to basic sanitation and water remain a challenge.
However, the high-water table in the region has posed several effects on the construction of sewerage system over the years.
The poor state of pit latrines in the informal settlements are majorly caused by flooding during the rainy season.
This are the places that have high water table such that even if toilet structures are erected in these places the water level interferes with the stability of the toilet
KIWASCO
The Slums
These areas include Nyalenda A, Nyalenda B, Manyatta B, Manyatta A and Obunga, Korando and Kogony.
“This are the places that have high water table such that even if toilet structures are erected in these places the water level interferes with the stability of the toilet,” Jason Ochola who is the Head of Commercials at KIWASCO.
With this most of the latrines in the slums don’t last for more than three years
According to data from Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO), Kisumu has 87 per cent water coverage and a sewer coverage of 18 per cent.
During the rainy season the sewerage systems as well as the pit latrines overflow in the informal settlements overflow hence posing public hygiene challenges.
Improper human waste disposal in these areas has significantly contributed to water-borne diseases.
Poor waste disposal leads to contamination of drinking water and food supplies which in turn causes diarrhoea and other diseases
Dr. Ganda
Toilets
According to Kisumu Health CEC Dr. Gregory Ganda 75 per cent of the county’s population are using just a toilet, but only 25 per cent are using improved toilet which prevent infections.
“Poor waste disposal leads to contamination of drinking water and food supplies which in turn causes diarrhoea and other diseases,” he said.
Dr, Ganda however says that Kisumu has been lucky not to experience a cholera outbreak for so many reasons due to the efforts by KIWASCO to improve sanitation.
In 2020 KIWASCO signed an MOU with Fresh Life, an environmental company to begin a project to install improved toilet facilities to restore sanitation in Nyalenda slum.
High water table within Kisumu which has affected our sanitation has contributed to the invention of the new technology targeting slum areas like Nyalenda, Obunga and Manyatta
Jason Ocholla
New Technology
The company which makes latrines that use sawdust in place of water to cover solid waste has installed 600 latrines in Nyalenda slum serving 15,000 people.
The facilities reduce the informal disposal of wastes in the slums.
With an extension of the MOU for five years, the project will now be moving to other slums in Kisumu.
“High water table within Kisumu which has affected our sanitation has contributed to the invention of the new technology targeting slum areas like Nyalenda, Obunga and Manyatta ” said Ochola.
Ochola said Fresh life technology will now be able to reach 20, 000 households to restore sanitation mostly in areas which have limited access to toilet facilities.