Kiambu: The government has rolled out a community-centred Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and environmental sanitation programme aimed at strengthening health promotion and disease prevention across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms Mary Muthoni, highlighted the initiative’s focus on involving communities as central players in Kenya’s public health strategy, recognising their vital role in achieving sustainable health outcomes.
Speaking during an engagement in Kiambu County, Ms Muthoni noted that both national and county governments are collaborating to enhance public health through preventive approaches that prioritise sanitation, hygiene, and environmental stewardship. She emphasised the importance of empowering communities to prevent disease and reduce the burden on healthcare facilities, pointing out that clean and healthy environments are crucial in saving lives.
Ms Muthoni underscored the role of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), describing them as the backbone of the UHC programme. The CHPs are responsible for visiting households to provide health education, promote personal and environmental hygiene, and advocate for safe water and sanitation practices.
The programme aims to decrease sanitation-related diseases through sustainable sanitation systems, responsible waste management, and improved environmental practices at the community level. Ms Muthoni stated that the initiative aligns with the Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Policy 2016-2030 and is anchored in Article 42 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to a clean and healthy environment.
The government is focusing on implementing existing policies, and Ms Muthoni mentioned that any identified gaps will be addressed to ensure effective service delivery. Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr Elias Maina, highlighted that sanitation-related conditions account for over 70 per cent of reported ailments, stressing the need for collaboration between national and county governments.
Dr Maina explained that while the national government provides policy direction and capacity building, county governments are tasked with implementation at the grassroots level. During the engagement, leaders also expressed concerns over industrial waste disposal into rivers and the challenges of alcohol, drug, and substance abuse, noting that coordinated interventions are planned to protect public health.
Residents of Kiambu County were encouraged to maintain clean surroundings and adopt preventive health measures, including access to clean water, proper nutrition, and utilisation of healthcare services, as part of a comprehensive approach to improving community health.
