The Ministry of Health Kenya has raised concern over a growing health risk linked to poor waste management across the country.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said more Kenyans are now at risk of getting diseases due to uncollected and poorly managed waste, especially in towns.
She indicated that currently Kenya generates 22,000 tons of waste daily and yet not much is done about proper management of such waste. In turn, this makes life difficult both for the environment as well as human beings.
From her statement, poor waste management practices are making a lot of people vulnerable to infections due to being in unhealthy environments.
Plastic waste was identified by her to be among the most harmful forms of waste in the environment since it causes blockage of drainage channels leading to stagnant water.
The PS also expressed worry over cases of open defecation still reported from some rural areas of the country.
She stated further that increased instances of diseases due to poor sanitation pose additional pressure to the health system.Muthoni called for urgent action to improve waste management and sanitation across the country.
The ministry is now working with both government and private sector players under the “Epuka Uchafu” campaign, which encourages proper waste disposal, good hygiene and safe handling of water.