County Announces Plans to Address Shortage of Toilets in Nairobi Schools

On September 20, 2025, Nairobi County acknowledged a sanitation crisis in public schools and announced plans to address the shortage of toilets through targeted infrastructure upgrades and partnerships.
A report published by Action for Transparency on September 20, 2025, revealed dire sanitation conditions in many Nairobi public primary schools, with some institutions having as few as one toilet for every 100 learners. The exposé, based on field investigations and interviews, highlighted overcrowded, unhygienic, and unsafe toilet facilities—particularly affecting girls and learners with disabilities. In response, Nairobi County’s Education Department pledged to prioritize toilet construction and rehabilitation in its 2025–2027 School Improvement Blueprint.
The county plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Water and Sanitation Department, and development partners to construct gender-segregated, disability-friendly toilets in high-need schools across informal settlements such as Kibra, Mathare, and Mukuru. The initiative will also include installation of handwashing stations, menstrual hygiene facilities, and training for school health clubs. County officials noted that sanitation upgrades will be integrated into the broader Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) infrastructure rollout, ensuring that every child learns in a safe and dignified environment.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, citing the link between sanitation, school attendance, and learner wellbeing. Girls often miss school during their periods due to lack of private, clean toilets. This is a matter of dignity and equity, said a headteacher from Embakasi. The county is expected to release a sanitation audit and implementation roadmap by December 2025, with funding drawn from county budgets, donor support, and community-based initiatives.