Gichugu: Principal Secretary (PS) for State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, has asked the Kenyans to work closely with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) during this rainy season to control waterborne diseases. Speaking at St Martin Kiambuu Catholic Church in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Muthoni emphasized that personal hygiene is the first line of defense, but CHPs play a key role in disease control in communities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muthoni directed CHPs to ensure that all families have toilets in their homes and simultaneously provide water treatment remedies. She urged CHPs to put in extra effort by conducting door-to-door visits to ensure every household has a clean and functional toilet. She also stressed the importance of maintaining clean surroundings, boiling drinking water, and distributing water purification tablets to prevent disease outbreaks.
Kirinyaga County is among the regions experiencing heavy rainfall, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks due to contamination of water sources by waste from sewage, animal waste, and surface runoff. Muthoni highlighted the importance of collaboration with CHPs to keep the community safe and free from preventable diseases like diarrhea and typhoid, emphasizing that “cleanliness is health.”
In addition to health concerns, the county government has recently taken steps to clear illegal structures on drainage systems to mitigate flooding in urban areas. Muthoni also addressed the issue of increasing theft of coffee berries, urging residents to report any suspicious activities to security agencies. Previously, thefts targeted church equipment, but now coffee factories have reported numerous cases.
Njukiine Assistant County Commissioner, Rose Mukami, appealed to parents to take care of their children during the long holiday, emphasizing the importance of their return to school for a 100 percent transition after national exams next year.