Connect with us

General News

Kenya: Govt Intensifies Efforts to Tame ‘Flying Toilets’ Menace in Kibera

Published

4 years ago

on

[ad_1]

The national government has stepped up efforts to improve sanitation levels in Kibera with the aim of ending the ‘flying toilets’ menace in the sprawling slums.

The government said it will construct five more ablution blocks in the informal settlement to add to the 15 already put up by the Athi Water Works Development Agency.

The new ablution blocks are part of Sh1.6 billion projects in Kibera through the Nairobi regeneration programme, to enhance sanitation and water provision in the slum, which is currently stands at only 20 percent.

The projects include setting up of water stations, ablution blocks, extension of sewer lines and laying of water supply lines in various parts of the informal settlement.

Kibera slum, reportedly the largest urban informal settlement in Africa, has been synonymous with sprawling shanties teeming with thousands of people crammed up in crowded structures.

The growing population with no matching resources has seen residents relieve themselves in black polythene bags and dispose the waste on rooftops, dumping sites and drainage trenches.

“The idea is to ensure that solid waste is not thrown into the river and if we get more funding, we will continue to build more ablution blocks as well as put up more sewer lines,” said Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Andrew Tuimur.

With the growing demand for sanitation and other crucial services in this informal settlement, a number of non-governmental organisations have stepped in to plug the gap.