Abstract: It is evident that WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) investments can have significant health, economic and development benefits and provide value for money. The study highlights the steps and stages taken during SWOT Analysis on water Sanitation and Hygiene at Kodumo East Location, Kabondo/Kasipul Sub-County, HomaBay County, Kenya. It has the details of entry process and situation analysis. It entailed penetrating various levels of the service system to reach the targeted individuals, groups and communities. Entry was made at the Community level where we met the community gate keepers and other key stakeholders. This process was initiated through the following methodologies: Key Informant Interviews. Transect walk, Look, Listen and Learn and Focus Group Discussion. During the situational analysis it was observed through a transect walk that there are no adequate water and sanitation facilities within the community, for homes with latrines they don’t have hand washing facilities thus evidence that hand washing is not practiced, some of the homes don’t have the rubbish pits and utensils and clothe drying facilities. From the interview it was realized that women are socially excluded from making decision on sanitation issues such as not digging the latrine. The latrines which are existing were poorly maintained and constructed. The aged, widows and single women are unable to construct the latrine despite locally available materials. It was noted that the community entirely depends on unprotected water springs, streams and a river and they don’t household water treatment. Much of the households don’t have bathing facilities within their households. In some areas the soil is either loose or hard rock making it difficult to construct the latrines. The situation analysis revealed that the community has resources and capacities to utilize at their own level. They also have the solutions to fill the gaps by enhancing the behavior change in water, sanitation and hygiene practices and in turn reduce the water and sanitation related infections. Out of the SWOT analysis, there would again be greater achievements both for stakeholders and the community if an effective feedback is done and proposed areas with significant impacts on water, sanitation and hygiene are implemented.
Keywords: diarrheal, water, sanitation, hygiene, partnership, community, household.
Title: SWOT analysis of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Kodumo East Location, Kabondo/Kasipul Sub County, HomaBay County, Kenya
Author: Stanley Nyamato Aranda, Thomas Ondimu
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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