Nyakeyo Community in Kisii county in Kenya faces persistent sanitation and hygiene challenges that directly affect public health and daily life. More than 45% of households lack access to safe toilets, leading to contaminated water sources, environmental degradation, and outbreaks of preventable diseases. Especially children are vulnerable when living in these conditions.
In response to these challenges, the community-based organization (CBO) approached Engineers Without Borders Switzerland (IngOG+) to support the development of a village-wide sanitation system. The aim of the project is to improve hygiene, reduce health risks, and create safer living conditions for all residents through reliable and accessible sanitation infrastructure.
Two IngOG+ team members have travelled to Nyakeyo Community in February 2025 to assess the situation on the ground. Their visit focused on investigating existing sanitation conditions,
identifying key problem areas, and better understanding the needs and priorities of the community. This field assessment forms part of the project’s evaluation phase.
The proposed sanitation system will include modern ventilated pit latrines, handwashing stations, and basic waste management structures. In addition to construction, the project emphasizes community involvement through hygiene education, training on maintenance, and local oversight to ensure long-term use and sustainability. For a holistic approach, improved access to menstrual products is included by partnering with the local organization PadMad in Nairobi.
IngOG+ is working closely with community representatives to refine the technical design, confirm implementation requirements, and assess long-term management options. Once the evaluation phase is completed and funding is secured, construction is expected to begin, with an estimated first implementation period of four months. Through a modular implementation approach, learnings of each construction cycles will be taken into consideration for the next one.
Through this initiative, IngOG+ aims to reduce the spread of sanitation-related diseases, improve environmental conditions, and strengthen health and dignity in Nyakeyo Village.
