The objective of the Japan Habitat's Smile Latrine Project baseline is to establish a benchmark for the implementation of the CLTS and Sanitation Marketing Project and contribute to a better understanding of the sanitation and hygiene situation in selected Villages in Homa Bay County..

1. Kakang’utu West Community Unit Sanitation Baseline Survey
Mr. Javan Solomon Okello
Presented At the 1st M&E Review meeting
27-February-2020
From Open Defecation to Sustainable Sanitation
www.sawayumekenya.org

2. Survey Aims
• The objective of the baseline is to establish a benchmark for the
implementation of the Smile Latrine Project and contribute to a
better understanding of the sanitation and hygiene situation in the
area.
• The specific objectives are:
• To Provide the basis for measuring changes in the villages and progress
overtime.
• To Provide a reliable database to facilitate comparison of baseline and
progress information on sanitation and hygiene among the Villages
• Provide aggregate data that facilitates learning and steering of the
programme.

3. Study Area
• Kakang’utu West
Community Unit is
located in Kabondo
Kasipul Constituency and
in Kabondo West Ward.
• The community unit
consists of 10 villages
namely: Nyokun, Kadero,
Kombok, Umai, Otondo,
Kawuor, Opanga, Wade,
Kabonyo and Kajimbo.

4. Survey Tools
• Questionnaire Design
• Developed my Miresi Consultants
• Design guided by other HH surveys :DHS,Inequality Surveys
• Questionnaires were pre-tested for both internal and external validities.
• An closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data on the area
demographics, available sanitation facilities, handwashing practices,
economic activities and money savings practices.
• Questionnaire Translation
• The final draft of the questionnaire was translated into the local Luo Language

5. Methodology
• Community Entry
• Village Mapping
• Issuing of consent letters to all households by CHV’s and Village Elders
• Data Collectors & CHV’s training.
• Data Collection
• Data was collected using a mobile based application iSurvey that relayed data
real time to an online portal.
• Data was cleaned, collated and analyzed using SPSS V25

6. Summary of findings
Demographics
Description Number
Total number of households 1331
Surveyed Households 1162
Response rate 87%
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC
CHARACTERISTICS
FREQUENCY
(NUMBER)
PERCENTAGE
(%)
Sex of Respondents
Male 344 29.6
Female 810 69.7
Missing/ did not answer 8 0.7
Total (n) 1162 100

7. Employment
• Access to employment is critical for overcoming poverty and reducing
inequality. Individuals without productive employment find it
extremely difficult to provide for their own basic needs and the needs
of their families.
• According the baseline survey, 68.9% of residents in Kakang’utu West
are self-employed full time or part time while only 7.3% work for pay
either part time or full time. This shows that the area has low
economic capacity and is vulnerable to economic shocks.

8. Education
• The level of education determines the capacity of individuals to earn
higher incomes and hence improved standards of living. Education
therefore is a proven means of improving individual’s welfare.
Level of education
No formal education 141 12.0%
Lower primary 70 6.0%
Mid upper primary 142 12.2%
Upper primary 468 40.3%
lower secondary 123 10.6%
Upper secondary 160 13.8%
Technical college 35 3.0%
University 11 0.9%
Missing/ did not answer 12 1.0%
Total (n) 1162 100%
• 12% with no formal education.
• 58% Had primary level of
education
• 24.4% had secondary education.
• 3.9% had attended post-
secondary professional courses
• This could be a strong indication of
low literacy levels among the
sampled households.

9. Housing
• Housing conditions serve as indicator for the extent in which populations live in
humane conditions. Materials used in the construction of the roof, the walls and the
floor indicate the level by which the occupants can be protected from environmental
and elemental hazards. They therefore determine the health, safety and well-being
of the occupants.
Type of shelter walls
Characteristic Frequency (Number) Percentage %
brick 97 8.35
Cement block/concrete 23 2.0
Corrugated iron/Zinc 7 0.6
Wood 0 0.0
Plastic 1 0.1
Mixture of mud and cement 431 37.1
Wattle and daub ( Mud walled
house)
594 51.1
Missing/ did not answer 9 0.7
Total (n) 1162 100
• Mud walled houses 51%
• Mud and Cement 37%
• Brick/concrete 10.3%
This could be an indication of
low income and high poverty in
this community.

10. Energy Lighting
• The type of lighting energy or fuel closely mirrors the household
socio-economic status. High energy levels and cleaner sources like
electricity and solar are traditionally the reserve of households with
higher levels of incomes.
• Solar powered lights 69.1%
• Kerosene lambs 19%
• Electricity 10.8%
In Kabondo West Ward where Kakang’utu Community Unit
falls, at the time the national survey in 2013, only 1.4% of
resident’s had electricity as the main source of lighting while
79.3% used tin lamps. Only 1.2% had solar powered lighting
systems.
Ngugi, E. (2013). Exploring Kenya's Inequality: Pulling Apart Or Pooling Together:[ Homa Bay
County]. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

11. Hunger
• Access to good food and nutrition is essential for the survival and well
being of humans. Despite the central role played by food in human life,
many populations are trapped in a cycle of hunger due to poverty, disasters
and conflicts among others. Hunger and poverty are linked in a vicious
circle that is self-perpetuating.
• child<7_hungry
• Gone to bed hungry?
• 27 % of children, under the age
of 7 years.
• 35% of adults (including the
respondent)
Frequenc
y
Percent Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 314 27.0 27.0 27.0
No 842 72.4 72.5 99.5
Not Answered 6 .5 .5 100.0
Total 1162 99.9 100.0

12. The reports of going to
bed hungry could indicate
the vulnerability and food
security situation in the
area. However It could be
partly explained by the
fact that many areas of
Kakang’utu West are
barren and sandy thus
offer fewer options for
agricultural ventures in
food production

13. Savings and investments
• Savings through micro-finance groups is a sustainable method for financing water
and sanitation projects. The objective of micro-finance groups is to establish and
promote a culture of saving in the community hence ensure economic security
and investments.
• Belonging to a saving group therefore offers a household an opportunity to
access funds that they may invest to improve their water and sanitation situation
Frequency of saving
Weekly 234 74.8%
fortnightly 23 8.3%
Monthly 47 15.0%
Every 3 months 1 0.3%
Every 6 months 1 0.3%
Yearly 2 0.6%
Missing/ did not answer 5 1.6%
Total (n) 313 100%
• 55.5 percent of respondents are
aware of microfinance/ savings group
in the community
• 48.3 percent have reported belonging
to any group that saved money.
• 34.4 percent of individuals have
borrowed money more than Ksh.
5,000 from friends or family in the
past year .

14. Religious Affiliation
Religious institutions often occupy a special place in the heart of many
communities thus act as a force for positive transformations and
change in the society. They help in upholding cultural values, beliefs,
and social traditions.
Religious Affiliation
Frequen
cy
Percent Valid
Percent
Cumulativ
e Percent
Valid
Yes 1147 98.7 98.7 98.7
No 9 .8 .8 99.5
Missing 6 .5 .5 100.0
Total 1162 100.0 100.0
• Total Number of Christian
denominations in the area : 21
• 98.7% belong to a specific religious
faith
• 0.8% are non-believers.
• 92% reported to attending religious
functions at least once a week
The high rates of church attendance imply that
churches are influential part of this community
and that religious leaders play a vital role in the
life of the members.

15. Sanitation Situation
• Sanitation: principles and practices that relate to the collection,
removal or disposal of human feces, household waste and refuse to
mitigate their negative impacts on people and the environment.
• Improved sanitation: a facility that hygienically separates human
excreta from human contact.
• Decent sanitation includes high hygiene awareness, appropriate
behaviors and acceptable sanitation services that are crucial for
human health and well-being.
• Inadequate access to improved sanitation leads to water
contamination and fecal oral contamination that predisposes to
numerous diseases.

16. Latrine Coverage
60%
39%
Latrine
HH With Latrine HH Without Latrine
• 39% of the respondents have no
functional Latrines
• 60% Have functional Latrines

17. Latrine Types
10.9 % VIP Latrines 87.2% are Pit latrines with direct drop pit with
squatting slab made of mud, concrete, or wood)

18. Latrine Features
Latrine Safety
12.3% of the latrine slabs had cracks or
looked unsafe 14% were plainly untidy and unsightly.
Latrine Cleanliness

19. Privacy
Pit Cover
17% of latrines did not offer privacy, that is they
do not have appropriate walls, door, cloths, or any
other sight protection materials.
Only 15% of Households reported to having latrines
with pit covers to prevent smell and flies

20. Houseflies, Insects and larvaes Disability Friendliness
55% of the latrines were reported to have visible
houseflies, insect larvae or cockroaches
Only 14% of latrines were accessible and usable
by individuals who are physically challenged

21. Previous Latrine
17%
83%
Latrine Collapsed?
Yes No
• 17% Reported that at least
one latrines has ever
collapsed in the homestead
Has any of the latrine in this household ever
collapsed?

22. Open Defecation Practices
31%
69%
Ever Defecated in the bush?
Yes No
In the last one year, have you ever found
yourself in a condition such that you had
to relieve yourself in the bush?
• 31% Reported to having practiced
open defecation at least once in
the last one year.

23. Handwashing Practices
• Handwashing contributes to improved sanitation by interrupting the
transmission of pathogens that may have had contact with the hands
or fingers during latrine visit or other sources like greeting people
with contaminated hands or handling contaminated things.
Type of facility for hand washing
Tippy tap 67 21.8
Water in bucket with tap 14 4.6
Water in bowl/bucket with mug 107 34.9
Water in bowl/bucket without mug 3 1.0
Leaky tin 105 34.2
Running water 10 3.3
Other 1 0.3
Total 307 100
• 44.7% of household with
latrines have also a specific
place for washing hands near
the latrine
• 62.3% Have no designated
place for washing hands

24. Hand washing Types
21.8% of households had tippy taps installed
neaby their latrines .
34.2% of households had leakey tins by the
latrines

25. Handwashing Practices
• Did You find a place to wash
your hands the last time you
visited a latrine?
• If yes, how did you wash your
hands?
89%
11%
Washed Hands
Yes No
25%
75%
How washed hands?
With Water Only
With Water and Soap

26. Households Without Latrines
• Owning a latrine is associated with health benefits, financial returns
and lifestyle improvements. Sanitation interventions reduce diarrheal
diseases, stunting in children and increases human capital and
productivity. Lifestyle benefits include more convenience, less
exposure to unhygienic conditions, increased safety and reduced
embarrassment when guest visit.
• many non-latrine owners engage in less social interactions with
others, live in smaller groups than latrine owners, and are less
influenced by the opinion of the local leaders. Some are socially
vulnerable, less educated or have some mental or physical
impairment and feel less obliged to construct their own latrines or to
rebuild latrines damaged by the elements of weather

27. Non-Latrine Owners per Village
56%
54%
52% 52%
49%
45%
44% 44% 43%
42% 42%
40%
35%
31% 31%
27% 27%
26%
24%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Kajim
bo
C
Kajim
bo
B
Kom
bokA
Otondo
Nyokun
B
Kadero
B
Kadero
A
Opanga
Kom
bokC
Kom
bokB
Kaw
uor
Kabonyo
B
Nyokun
A
Kabonyo
A
W
ade
Kadero
C
Kajim
bo
A
Kabonyo
C
Um
ai
% of Households Without Latrines Per Village

28. Non-Latrine Owners Alternatives
• 456 households (39%) did not
have functional latrines in their
homesteads.
• 295 Households (64.5%) claimed
they share neighbors’ latrine.
• 106 Household (23.3%) reported
regular use of the bush.
• Only 39 (8.6%) reported to use
of cat system where they dig a
shallow pit to bury the feces
65%
23%
9%
1%
You Don’t Have a functional Latrine. So
where do you relieve yourself?
Neighbours Latrine In the Bush
Cat system Other

29. Ever had Latrine
before in this
Homestead?
40%
60%
Ever Had Latrine Before?
Yes No
• 40% of households
without latrine
reported to having
ever build a latrinein
the homestead before

30. Currently Why Don’t You
Have a Latrine? Reason for lack of latrine
Lack of money 180 39.5%
Poor soil conditions 88 19.3%
Bush is around to use 27 5.9%
Many people around –
responsibility should be
everyone’s
18 4.0%
Other 127 17.9%
Missing/ did not answer 16 3.5%
Total (n) 456 100%
• 39.5% lack of money
• 19.3% poor soil conditions
made it very difficult to
have a long-lasting latrine.
• 6%. blamed the ever-
present bushes for
providing a conducive
environment for
defecation.

31. The likelihood of
building a latrine in
the next 6 months
7.2%
10.3% 4.2%
45.5%
32.8%
Likelihood of Building Latrine within 6 months
Unlikely Low likelihood Unsure
High likelihood Definitely
• 77% likelihood
of building a
latrine in the
next 6 months.

32. Has any member of the
household Had Diarrhea
in the Past One Month?
58%
42%
Any Member of the Household had Diarrhea in
the past 1 month
Yes No
42.3% of the surveyed households
reported that at least one or more
of the occupants had diarrhea in
the previous month.
Even though the survey did not
classify the specific causes of the
diarrhea, this indicates a
significantly high prevalence of
diarrheal infections with possible
fecal-oral transmission route.

33. Summary of Findings
• The socio-demographic indicators point that Kakang’utu West Community Unit is
a low-income community. The communities need to be empowered
economically. This is an opportunity to empower the community on savings and
investments to raise the proportion community members in self help groups
• There is a high probability that a relatively high proportion of members of
Kakang’utu West Community Unit will continue practicing open defecation unless
behavior chance interventions are initiated.
• Among all households, only 60% had latrines. Among households with latrines
only 15% have improved sanitation.
• A majority of the respondents without latrines reported having discussed the
possibility of constructing a latrine with their families. Moreover, the same group
reported a high likelihood of building a latrine in the next one year.
• The tremendous increase in households accessing solar power for lighting from
1.2% in 2013 to 69% in 2019 in the same area calls for a closer look at the
strategies that solar lighting marketers employ and see if they could be applied to
scale up improved sanitation products through sanitation marketing.

34. • Poverty and poor food security are a great impediment to latrine construction in the area.
When faced with the choice of either buying food or building a latrine many people will of
course buy food first. In Kakang’utu West, the fact that 35% of the respondents reported
to having gone to bed hungry due to lack of food shows that they would find it a tall order
to build latrines.
• Interestingly, 93% of the respondents reported having exclusive use over a piece of land on
which they can grow crops. A total of 61% reported to have an estimated land size of over
2 acres. This provides ample opportunity to invest in agricultural technologies that can
harness the poor soil conditions to grow fast maturing drought resistant fruits and other
food crops to bolter food security hence alleviate poverty
•
• The findings show that only 48.3% of the respondents belong to a community savings and
lending group. Among then 34.4% have borrowed an amount more than Ksh 5000 at once.
This is worrying because the average cost of building a basic improved latrine ranges from
Ksh 8000 to 80,000 or more depending on the facility desired. This implies that cheaper
improved sanitation technologies need to be availed and the payment duration to be
longer than 6 months.
• The high rates of church attendance imply that churches are influential part of this
community and that religious leaders play a vital role in the life of the members. The
church could therefore play a vital role in passing messages about improved sanitation.

35. • In Kakang’utu West Community Unit, about 39 percent of the respondents reported that their
household does not have a latrine, while 60 percent did. Among the households that have latrines,
Pit latrine with direct drop pit with squatting slab was the most common at 87.2 percent. It was
followed by VIP latrine at 10.9%.
• From the findings, approximately, 17 percent of latrines did not offer privacy, that is they do not
have appropriate walls, door, cloths, or any other sight protection materials. The findings imply that
even though 60 percent of the respondents have latrines, the features of these latrines do not
provide adequate safety and privacy hence reducing their consistency in use. This coupled with the
fact that there are many bushes in the area that may ensure the much-desired privacy hence
encouraging open defecation even in households with “Latrines”.
• Among households that had latrines, only 307 ( 44.7%) reported to have a specific place for washing
hands near the latrine within the homestead. A whooping 62.3% had no designated place for
washing hands hands after visiting the latrine.
• The fact that 40% of current households without latrines claim that they had once build latrines
which collapsed imply that non-behavioral contextual factors might have influenced the adoption of
the latrines. It is also interesting to note that non-latrine owners have a high intention to build a
latrine and have discussed installing one in the last one month. It is therefore very crucial to convert
this high intention into latrine adoption and sustain the latrine use through behavior change
communication.
• About 42.3% of the surveyed households reported that at least one or more of the occupants had
diarrhea in the previous month. Even though the survey did not classify the specific causes of the
diarrhea, this indicates a significantly high prevalence of diarrheal infections with possible fecal-oral
transmission route

36. Recommendations
• Empower the community members on savings and investments and encourage
them to join self help groups or start small and medium size enterprises.
• Encourage latrines owners to improve their latrines and non latrine owners to
plan to acquire one within the project period
• Encourage the community to acquire and use portable/recyclable concrete slabs
in constructing their latrines
• Plan and implement hygiene promotion program concurrently with the
improvement and construction of new latrines to promote frequent hand
washing with soap
• In order to alleviate financial constraints, provide microcredit for sanitation
investments and establish sanitation marketing approaches. Sanitation marketing
approaches reduce the cost of the investment by improving access to supply or
by improving toilet design, and hence, reducing the amount of materials needed.

37. Conclusion
• There are many gaps on hygiene and sanitation Kakangutu West
Community Unit . The proposed projects provides a good
opportunity to initiate and implement sanitation marketing to bridge
these gaps and improves the health and welfare of this community