Project Needs

The Marsabit District is one of the poorest areas of Eastern Province of Kenya, with 79% of its 158,000 people living in absolute poverty*, up from 58% in 2007 due to increases food prices and high national inflation of over 29%. The increases frequency of droughts has eroded a majority of the population’s livelihoods as pastoralists (a branch of agriculture concerned with the raising of livestock.) Access to water, both for domestic and livestock uses, is severely limited and is the single most critical issue facing the district’s population - water access and quality are both well below recommended standards. Over 77% of the population does not have access to toilet facilities and 63% of house- holds do not practice appropriate disposal of feces. This is due in part to the region being underserved but is exacerbated by the population’s nomadic lifestyle and cultural barriers to latrine use. The combination of poor access to water, insufficient sanitation facilities and hygiene practices contribute to increased rates of disease and diarrhea among the community. With 47% of the population of the Marsabit District under 19 years of age, the targeting of schools is an effective means to increase water and sanitation coverage.