Red Cross expands latrine promotion in Kenya

Like many in her Kenyan village called Kaptobogo, Eunice Kisang did not have a latrine at her home until late 2013. She and her family had always hid in nearby bushes to relieve themselves. However, last year Eunice joined a group of 514 households participating in hygiene and sanitation promotion teachings (PHAST methodology) carried out by over 50 volunteers from the Kenya Red Cross Society.  During the trainings she received crucial information regarding the importance of safe human waste disposal, which leads to the reduction in diarrheal diseases.

“I came back and shared [the information] with my husband, and he helped with the digging of a pit,” says Eunice.   “We then assembled locally available materials to complete the floor and superstructure. However, I became happier when my household was selected as a beneficiary of a san plat.”  A san plat (Sanitation Platform) is a 1 metre-square cement platform with a central hole and side foot rests for the floor of a latrine.  

 The fabrication and distribution of 180 san plats to vulnerable households is only a small component of a Canadian Red Cross-funded Drought Recovery project being implemented by the Red Cross in western Kenya (districts of East Pokot, Central Pokot, and East Marakwet). The two-year project began in October 2012 to help vulnerable families in drought-prone areas to both recover from the severe 2011 drought and increase their resilience to similar conditions and future shocks. The Red Cross is introducing irrigated farming to diversify the livelihoods of 1,000 vulnerable farmers and pastoralists, and teaching good sanitation and hygiene practices to hundreds of households. In 2011, the Kenyan government launched a plan for the country to be open-defecation free by 2013, so the Red Cross’ focus on improved sanitation practices is also in line with Kenya’s national strategy.

“The platform makes [the latrine] easier to clean, and accepted by my children. It does not erode off when one steps or urinates on it,” adds Eunice when asked about the importance of the san plat.  Eunice asserts that many people in her village have constructed similar pits, while others have even managed to construct semi-permanent ones (with brick walls). She affirms that it is now easier to ‘go out’ anytime without fear of privacy or making the compound untidy.