Factors affecting access to safely managed sanitation facilities in pastoral communities in Saku Sub-County (Kenya)

The study investigated the influence of social cultural, economic and demographic factors on access to safely managed sanitation in pastoral communities of Saku Sub-County, Kenya, where sanitation access is notably low. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample of 100 household heads. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 in descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that households who had school-going children were less likely to construct safe toilets due to overinvestment in school necessities such as school fees and food leaving little or no money for improved toilets. Gender roles were significant predictors of safe toilets adoption at the households (β=0.138, p=0.01). The nature of work for women such as having to look for water and for men like herding in lonely places where there were no toilets attracted open defecation cases. Latrine utilization was minimal at night due to safety concerns among females as indicated by 72% of the respondents. The cultural beliefs held in the region had a negative influence on toilet adoption (β=-0.130, p=0.040) while level of awareness on sanitation-related matters among the residents positively influenced adoption of safe toilets, thus increased access to safe sanitation (β=0.127, p=0.011). Construction of toilets near some households was undermined by the fear that the toilet pits would kill or injure livestock, which seemed to be given the highest priority. Traditions that revolved around restriction of latrine sharing between grown-ups and children attracted cases of open defecation even with access to toilets which suggested a need for toilets separation. Economic status of residents significantly affected adoption of safe toilets at the households (p<0.05). The study recommended exploration of different context-appropriate mechanisms for triggering behaviour change to enhance sanitation standards among pastoral communities.