Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, Bungoma and Kakamega counties have for the first time set aside billions of shillings to improve hygiene standards in the regions.

Their budgets for public health and sanitation management in the 2023/24 have gone up by 80 per cent

Homa Bay county tops the list with the highest allocation for sanitation, waste-water treatment and decentralised treatment as it stands Sh4.4 billion, followed by Kisumu (Sh1.4 billion).

The Kakamega allocated Sh66.1 million up from Sh30 million, while Busia, Migori and Bungoma budgets towards sanitation and menstrual health have increased to almost Sh100 million up from less than Sh30 million that had been allocated in the last two financial years.

Huge budgets

The allocations of the huge budgets follow intervention by the United States Agency for International Development/Kenya (USAid/KEA), Western Kenya Sanitation Project (WKSP).

Governors Gladys Wanga (Homabay), Fernandez Baraza, (Kakamega), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), confirmed the allocations and termed them a game change in menstrual hygiene.

“We are keen to review it to align the Strategic and Business Plans and prioritise sanitation (rural and urban) in the utility’s programmes and interventions,’’ said Baraza (pictured).