County Launches Awareness Drive on Hygiene and Sanitation

In a proactive effort to prevent disease outbreaks and improve public health, Elgeyo Marakwet County has launched a major hygiene and sanitation awareness campaign. The initiative, announced on 5 June 2025, focuses on educating market traders, food handlers, and the general public on essential hygiene practices and waste management. Officials say that proper sanitation is key to avoiding outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
The drive is being run by the county’s Department of Health and Sanitation, which is working closely with community leaders and health promoters to ensure messages reach all corners of the county. During a sensitization session at the Iten Fresh Produce Market, the Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Caroline Magut, emphasized that traders have a responsibility to maintain cleanliness — not just for their own benefit, but to protect community health.
As part of the campaign, the county will conduct training for hygiene champions at the grassroots level. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) will receive capacity building to help them mobilize local residents, reinforce hygiene practices in homes and public spaces, and monitor sanitation infrastructure. The county government hopes that these efforts will result in long-term behavioral change and reduced disease transmission.
In addition to hygiene education, Elgeyo Marakwet is working to strengthen sanitation infrastructure. The county has committed to regular waste collection, public latrine maintenance, and school health club reactivations. Its partnership with WASH Alliance Kenya ensures that these interventions are guided by a structured, well-monitored framework — reinforcing the county’s commitment to sustainable and healthy living environments.