Teso South MP Mary Emase has unveiled a programme to construct modern flush toilets in primary schools across the constituency to improve sanitation and hygiene.
The project will be funded by various partners in collaboration with the Teso South National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to the tune of Sh 3.5 million for every unit.
The cost will go towards construction of modern flush toilets, drilling a borehole, installation of a solar-powered water pumping system, erection of an elevated 10,000-litre water tank, establishment of a menstrual hygiene management (MHM) room for girls and installation of a biodigester.
The flush toilets are designed to use minimal water and will be connected to biodigesters that convert waste into biogas for use in school kitchens.
The programme will be implemented in phases, beginning with a pilot phase targeting the first 15 primary schools.
Schools that already have boreholes and water tanks will only receive the flush toilets and biodigesters, allowing the remaining funds to benefit additional schools.
Speaking to the media in Amukura, Emase said the initiative aims to enhance Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) standards in primary schools while replacing pit latrines with modern flush toilets that offer a safer and more sustainable sanitation solution.
She noted that many schools have exhausted space for new pit latrines after repeatedly digging replacements for those that have filled up, reducing the area available for pupils to play.
“Most schools still rely on traditional pit latrines, many of which are dilapidated. Some have collapsed while others have already been condemned by public health officers for posing a safety risk to learners. It is therefore time for a shift in approach towards safer and more durable sanitation systems,” she explained.
The MP observed that a significant portion of the Sh10 million annual emergency allocation under the Teso South NG-CDF is often spent addressing sanitation challenges caused by failing pit latrines in schools across the constituency.
Emase spoke after receiving a donation of six 10,000-litre water tanks from Sidian Bank for distribution to six schools in the constituency. The beneficiary schools are among the first institutions selected for the pilot phase of the modern sanitation programme.
“We have a major water shortage in Teso South, and schools are among the most affected. Children are forced to fetch water from rivers or carry jerricans of water to school every morning. The donation of these water tanks will go a long way in addressing this challenge,” she said.
The schools that received the water tanks are Kamarinya’ng, Osurete, Amoni, Amukura, Goria and Ong’ariama primary schools, representing the six wards in the constituency.
“For children in Teso South to achieve their dreams, we must provide a conducive learning environment where they can concentrate on their studies. That is why we are investing in improving education infrastructure across the constituency,” Emase said.
Sidian Bank Senior Relationship Manager for Government and Institutional Banking, Jerome Chibole, said the donated tanks would help schools store water and reduce the time pupils spend fetching water from rivers.
“We aim to reach all constituencies across Kenya with water tank donations to primary schools through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaign. We have started with Teso South in Busia County before expanding to other constituencies,” he said.
by Moses Wekesa
