Introducing the "Sanitation Police"
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Authors
Robert Magori
Issue Date
10/11/2017
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Health , Water and Sanitation , Waste Management
Alternative Title
Abstract
What makes a man change from being a threat to society to the one ‘sweeping’ out the threat in society? In this case it took decrepit toilets, illegal dumpsites, stagnant water near hotels and the infamous ‘flying toilets’ to make Ben Osegeresa and John Otieno to stop being the neighborhood drunkards and thieves to being the sanitation champions in Obunga village. Obunga is a slum in the northwest part of Kisumu, Kenya, which is right on the edge of Lake Victoria and is home to 20,000 people. Practical Action is implementing the water and sanitation project, KisumuSan in this area and works closely with the local to ensure the slum is free from open defecation and has better access to safe water. Ben and John were appalled by the current sanitation condition and approached Practical Action to be trained as sanitation champions. They take their work very seriously reporting any cases of rogue landlords who refuse to construct toilets, give warnings to owners of restaurants and food vendors who prepare their food next to open sewerage or stagnant water. They keep records of people who do not dispose garbage properly and report them to public health officials who then follow up to ensure the community maintains sanitary conditions. “If we keep up this effort, we see Obunga with a better garbage disposal system, with no cholera outbreaks, good sewerage system, reduction of malaria cases and improved hygiene behaviour among the people living here,” our newest “sanitation police” attest.
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License
All Rights Reserved