By Alex Maina
In Kidiwa, Kuinet Kapsuswa Ward, Soy Sub-County, the sight that greets you is hard to ignore. Rows of shared toilets stand between homes, once built to serve the people. But now, they are falling apart and forgotten. In a place where over 300 families live, the state of sanitation is nothing short of heartbreaking.
The problem is not that the toilets are shared. The problem is that they are broken, blocked and unsafe. Many of the toilets have no doors. Others have missing walls, exposing users to the public. Some are completely blocked and have been out of use for months. And yet, they are the only option for many people here.
Mama Mato, shares her struggle. “I wake up early to make sure my children don’t have to use the toilet when others are around. But even then, it’s hard. The toilets are dirty and falling apart. We are tired of living like this.”
With so many families depending on these few toilets, queues are long, especially in the mornings. People wait for their turn to use facilities that are unhygienic and unsafe. For young girls and elderly people, the situation is even worse. At night, going out to use the toilet is dangerous, especially when the walls are broken and there is no light or privacy.
This lack of decent toilets has brought health risks to the community. Dirty and blocked toilets are a breeding ground for diseases like cholera, diarrhea and typhoid. Children fall sick often, and parents live in fear of an outbreak. Yet the problem remains unspoken, ignored by those who should care.
The people of Kidiwa are not demanding much. All they ask for is something basic clean, working toilets. A place where they can relieve themselves without fear, shame or danger. A place that respects their dignity.
It is time the County Government of Uasin Gishu listened. It is time they visited Kidiwa and saw the reality with their own eyes. The toilets need urgent repair. More toilets should be built. And they must be maintained regularly.
