PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani
PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani

PS Mary M. Muriuki Calls for Intensified WASH Action to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage Under Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani

MoH News / Sun, 03/01/2026 - 16:29

Nairobi Thursday February 18,2026 Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms Mary M. Muriuki, has called for intensified national and county action on hygiene, safe water, sanitation, and waste management to curb preventable diseases and safeguard progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Speaking during the Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani stakeholder engagement in Nairobi, the PS warned that poor hygiene, unsafe water, weak sanitation systems, and unmanaged waste continue to fuel diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, typhoid, malaria, respiratory infections, and childhood malnutrition, placing avoidable pressure on health facilities and public resources.

She emphasised that prevention remains the most cost-effective investment for the health system, noting that billions of shillings are lost annually through healthcare costs, lost productivity, environmental degradation, and premature deaths linked to poor sanitation and unsafe water.

Ms Muriuki highlighted Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani as a key national initiative anchored in Primary Health Care Networks and delivered through Community Health Promoters to promote safe water practices, proper waste handling, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental cleanliness at household level.

The PS called for stronger county coordination, expansion of protected water sources, improved waste segregation and collection systems, and functional WASH facilities in schools and public institutions, alongside sustained behaviour change communication in local languages.

She urged stakeholders to align resources and actions to reduce preventable illness, protect household incomes, ease pressure on health services, and accelerate Kenya’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage.