By Dorothy Musyoka
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni has urged national and county governments to scale up efforts on hygiene, safe water, sanitation and waste management to curb preventable diseases and safeguard progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during the Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani stakeholder engagement forum in Nairobi, the PS warned that poor hygiene practices, unsafe water, weak sanitation systems and unmanaged waste continue to drive cases of diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, typhoid, malaria, respiratory infections, and childhood malnutrition.
She noted that these preventable conditions place unnecessary pressure on health facilities and strain public resources that could otherwise be directed toward strengthening the health system.
“Together, we can reduce preventable disease, protect household incomes, and advance Universal Health Coverage through prevention,” stated PS Muthoni.
“Prevention works best when we work together,” she added.
The PS described Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani as a key national initiative anchored within Primary Health Care Networks and delivered through Community Health Promoters.
The programme focuses on promoting safe water practices, proper waste handling, improved sanitation, hygiene practices, and environmental cleanliness at the household level.
She emphasized that empowering communities with knowledge and practical solutions is critical to breaking the cycle of preventable diseases.
“Sustaining EUAN requires aligned resources, coordinated county leadership, private sector engagement, and strong community participation,” she noted.
Muriuki called for enhanced coordination between national and county governments to expand access to protected water sources, improve waste segregation and collection systems, and ensure functional Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools and public institutions.
She also stressed the importance of sustained behaviour change communication in local languages to promote long-term adoption of healthy practices at the grassroots level.
The PS urged development partners, civil society, and county leadership to align resources and actions toward reducing preventable illnesses, protecting household incomes, easing pressure on health facilities and accelerating Kenya’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage.