Meru school with over 1,000 pupils closed over lack of toilets
A photo of an excavator digging out soil from a collapsed pit latrine in Kisii County. Athimba Primary School in Igembe South, Meru County has been closed on June 22, 2018 over lack of toilets. The school administration has been ordered to dig pit latrines for its 1,020 pupils who were relieving themselves in nearby maize and miraa farms. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Athimba Primary School has been ordered to construct pit latrines, a urinal trough and handwashing facilities.
- School has 1,020 pupils and 24 teachers.
- School to remain closed until it complies with the public health official's directive.
A school in Igembe South in Meru county has been closed indefinitely by public health officials over lack of toilets.
Igembe South health director, Ntoitha Baimirongo, closed Athimba Primary School because pupils have been forced to relieve themselves in nearby maize and miraa farms.
Mr Baimirongo ordered the school, which has 1,020 pupils and 24 teachers to construct pit latrines, a urinal trough and handwashing facilities.
“The school will remain closed until compliance is achieved to avert disease outbreak,” Mr Baimirongo.
Several weeks ago, Meru Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Mary Kanana urged residents to dig more pit latrines in the area, saying many rural households do not have not toilets.
“I urge residents to dig pit latrines to avoid waste being carried to the rivers. We don’t want to hear cases of waterborne diseases here in Meru,” said Ms Kanana.
