Assessing the Utilization of Commercialized Public Toilets in Kakamega Town

Abstract

Human waste management continues to be a major global challenge facing urban growth. Managing sanitation is therefore a challenge facing most governments. The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of commercialized public toilets in Kakamega Town. The study adopted a descriptive research design carried out in Kakamega Town. The target population comprised residents of Kakamega town and those on daily transit. Purposive sampling was done for Kakamega County town and key informants, while Simple random sampling was done for town residents and business people. Systematic sampling was conducted on individuals using public toilets. A sample size of 351 participants was finally used and data was collected using observation, interviews, questionnaires, and document review. 265 (75.5%) of respondents knew of public toilets and their location with only 25.9% of females being very often users. The majority of respondents 256 (72.9%) chose public toilets because of their cleanliness and appearance. Physically challenged respondents were less likely to use commercial toilets in contrast to the able-bodied respondents (OR: 0.4; 95%CI: 0.2 – 0.8; p=0.008). Location, signage, and maps were among the factors identified as determining the utilization of the public toilet facilities in Kakamega Town. There were low incidents of open defecation, urination, and flying toilets in places where commercialized public toilets were. In conclusion, commercialized public toilets were highly utilized and preferred in Kakamega town due to their cleanliness, location, and accessibility. The study recommends the town increase the number of commercialized public toilet facilities and the management of non-commercialized public toilets in the county government of Kakamega to enhance cleanliness and access to all public toilets within the town