By Ivy Chege, KNA
The Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani public health initiative is officially taking root in Kiambu County as the latest phase of the national rollout begins, running from Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to Friday, January 30, 2026.
As part of the activation, the Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, in partnership with county and national government agencies, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, visited the County Commissioner and the Governor to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration.
The initiative, which was first launched on August 23, 2024, in West Pokot County, has so far been rolled out in 11 counties nationwide.
Its key achievements include the training of county technical teams and the establishment of County Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani Multisectoral Steering Committees. These committees are tasked with coordinating implementation and ensuring sustainability of the program at the county level. Kiambu becomes the 13th county to adopt the initiative.
Speaking during the activation, Kiambu County Director of Health, Dr Hilary Kagwe, says the program is a major boost to preventive and promotive health efforts.
“This initiative enhances health through personal hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and access to safe water. It empowers communities to make informed choices that help us sustain a healthy population,” says Dr Kagwe.
The Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, underscored the importance of cleanliness as a shared social responsibility and a public health priority.
“Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani is about restoring cleanliness as a core social value. A clean home, a clean neighborhood, and a clean environment form the first line of defense against preventable diseases,” the PS says.
The initiative seeks to promote hygiene, sanitation, and environmental cleanliness at both household and community levels, with the aim of preventing sanitation-related diseases and fostering sustainable healthy living.
Director of Public Health and Sanitation, Peter Ndungu, notes that public health systems often deal with the consequences of poor sanitation rather than prevention.
“We are usually the recipients of problems. This initiative allows us to address the root causes by focusing on prevention,” says Ndungu.
Water security also features prominently in the discussions. The Ministry of Water and Sanitation highlights the completion of the Ndarugo Dam, which now supplies safe water to residents of Thika and Juja. Plans are also underway to construct additional dams, analyze rainfall patterns, and promote rainwater harvesting to ensure consistent access to safe water, particularly in Kiambu County.
The four pillars of the Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani Initiative are food safety, water safety, environmental conservation, and effective waste management.
Participants also raised concerns over drug and substance abuse, terming it a growing public health and national security challenge. Stakeholders call for coordinated interventions under the initiative to curb drug abuse, monitor progress, sustain gains, reduce the economic burden on the health sector, and enhance inter-agency coordination.
The activation culminates on Friday with a major environmental clean-up and tree-planting exercise at Ruiru Stadium in Ruiru Municipality. The event is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Education to mark the successful activation of the initiative in Kiambu County.
The climax event is led by the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, and brings together county leadership, national government agencies, development partners, and community representatives, marking a significant milestone in the national rollout.
