Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on their Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 rated Kisumu high on living standards, with only 5% of residents still practicing open defecation, despite a high prevalence of domestic violence.
However, the report even though returned a high prevalence of domestic violence in Kisumu, but the situation is generally better than most surrounding counties.
A number of indicators, were noted that the area of gender based violence has some issues in Kisumu but not as bad as compared to neighboring counties like Homabay where there was very high prevalence of Gender Based Violence (GBV) but which is also below the national level.
A five-month report from February to July 2022 revealed Kisumu County excels in family planning and child care, with only 41 out of 1000 children lost at birth and 41 dying before five years. Director Fredrick Oluoch praised the county’s health performance and plans to work with KNBS in analyzing and putting in place measures to respond to the report’s verdict.
“The report that has been released rates Kisumu high among the counties that fare well on matters health and sanitation with the county fairing excellently on key indicators but still there are areas that need improvement like ending the menace of open defecation which was reported at 5% prevalence in Kisumu County with 17% of the Kisumu populace still using dirty water and 20% having no access to clean water,” said Oluoch
“Kisumu is just the urban center but the majority in the rural populace are using surface water and the toilets are in open places and sanitation is wanting, the statistics is not so high on this but there are areas that can be improved,” noted Oluoch. To add on, he announced plans to enhance residents’ access to clean water and proper sewerage channels, as part of their pledge.
The county government is addressing sanitation and gender-based violence through the department of water, aiming to improve sanitation from 25% to 70% and sewerage coverage from 18% to 25%. Governor Anyang Nyong’o’s agenda includes the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) strategic plan objectives and strong advocacy from health department, gender and women representatives.
By Milton Onyango
