At least 66 per cent of the faecal waste in Nairobi is still left untreated.
This is according to the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).
They said that the Nairobi, Shit-flow-Diagram, a map that depicts the flow of faecal waste in Nairobi, cannot account for all that waste.
They said, as a result, it could be ending up in streams, rivers or the public’s water system.
“60 per cent of Nairobi residents are not covered by a sewer network. Inadequate sanitation systems spread human waste into rivers, lakes and soil, polluting the water resources under our feet,” APHRC said.
They said in densely populated urban areas pit latrines and septic tanks close to waterpoints pose a serious health risk.
“Groundwater plays a key role in water and sanitation but the problem seems to be invisible. Safely managed sanitation protects groundwater from human waste pollution,” APHRC said.
On November 18, Kenya joined the world to celebrate World Toilet Day.
“More than half of Africa’s population, over 779 million people, lack basic sanitation services including 208 million who still practice open defection,” APHRC said.
They said everyone needs access to a toilet connected to a sanitation system that effectively removes and treats human waste.
Sustainable Development Goal number eight calls for access to water and sanitation for all however, with eight years left to fulfillment of the goals, Africa is lagging behind.
“We call on policymakers to accelerate progress on sanitation and ensure the connection between sanitation and groundwater is reflected in legislation and guidelines at all levels,” they said.