NGOs raise alarm over poor sanitation despite water access gains

Access to clean water has improved for many Kenyans, but sanitation remains a major concern, with millions still living without proper hygiene facilities.

A new report by a coalition of civil society organizations reveals that while six in ten Kenyans can access safe drinking water, only four in ten enjoy basic sanitation services.

The report urges the government to take immediate action to close this gap and improve overall public health.

According to findings submitted to the United Nations, urban areas have better sanitation coverage than rural regions, but both still fall short of the required standards.

"Forty-one percent of the population have at least basic sanitation services. This number is slightly higher in urban areas (47 percent) than in rural areas (38 percent)," the report states.

It further highlights that 66 percent of Kenyans are connected to a sewer system or have a safe method of waste disposal, either on-site or through removal for treatment.

However, informal settlements continue to face serious challenges in water supply and sanitation. Many residents struggle with both availability and affordability of clean water, with some spending a significant portion of their income on it.

A UN assessment found that 35 percent of households in informal settlements spend between three and ten percent of their income on water, exceeding the international affordability standard of three percent.

Additionally, 17 percent of households spend over 20 percent of their income on water, making it a heavy financial burden.

The report also links poor sanitation to health problems, noting that 58 percent of diarrhea cases in Kenya are associated with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.

Slum dwellers and rural communities often lack toilets, which exacerbates disease outbreaks.

"The lack of clean water and sanitation contributes to frequent cholera and other diarrheal disease outbreaks. It is a leading contributor to Kenya’s slow decline in child mortality through diarrheal diseases, malnutrition, and acute respiratory infections," the report states.

With sanitation remaining a critical challenge, civil society groups are now pushing for more government investment in water infrastructure and hygiene services.

They warn that without immediate action, millions will continue to suffer from preventable diseases linked to poor hygiene conditions.