Mandera marks major sanitation milestone as 64 villages achieve ODF status
Mandera County Director of Community Health Services, Hassan Ali, said the results reflect a strong shift in community behaviour and a shared desire to build healthier environments.
Mandera County has recorded a breakthrough in its fight against poor sanitation, with 64 villages now officially verified, certified and celebrated as Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme.
The county, through the Ministry of Health Services, announced that 94 villages have so far been triggered, signalling growing community commitment to hygiene, dignity and disease prevention.
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This year's World Toilet Day 2025 celebrations were held in Ameyi Village, Eymole Location in Kiliwehiri Sub-County, drawing county officials, community leaders, health teams and partners supporting the county's public health agenda.
Mandera County Director of Community Health Services, Hassan Ali, said the results reflect a strong shift in community behaviour and a shared desire to build healthier environments.
"We are seeing real change on the ground. Every homestead must construct a latrine, and behaviour change remains at the heart of this campaign," Hassan said.
"Improving sanitation is essential for preventing disease outbreaks, promoting child survival and protecting the well-being of our communities."
He noted that while progress is encouraging, the county is determined to expand coverage and have more villages declared ODF in the coming months.
The celebrations were facilitated through the Hanaano Programme, with support from the RACIDA organisation, working jointly with Mandera County Government's Public Health Services, in partnership with Concern Worldwide and funded by Irish Aid.
County officials reaffirmed their commitment to scaling up CLTS initiatives, calling on residents to remain vigilant in upholding hygiene standards as a key pillar of public health.
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