Communities in Mandera East are taking the lead in improving sanitation and public health through a transformative initiative spearheaded by the Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA).
Under the ElEVATE Project, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and with support from KOICA Kenya, RACIDA has sensitised 432 households across five sites: Gadudia 1, Gadudia 2, Sarohindi, Aresa, and Farey, using the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) model.
The CLTS approach shifts responsibility to the communities themselves, encouraging residents to adopt safe sanitation practices, end open defecation, and foster long-term behavioural change.
By engaging households directly, the program not only addresses immediate hygiene concerns but also builds resilience and sustainability at the grassroots level.
RACIDA emphasised that the initiative is part of a larger effort to drive inclusive and locally owned development solutions.
“Together, we are building a future where every household has access to safe and dignified sanitation,” the organisation noted.
With the growing momentum, the program aims to transform villages in Mandera East into open-defecation-free zones, laying the foundation for healthier communities and improved quality of life.