By Moses Lokeris
The newly sworn-in leaders of Kotido Central Division have mooted plans to enact bylaws on Open Defecation, which has become a common practice among the community their cultural belief and lack of pit latrines.
Despite several efforts by non-government organisations such as Mercy Corps to fights open defecation in Central Division and other parts of the Municipality, using Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiative, a significant number of households still use bushes and other open public places for easing themselves each time mother nature calls.
According to the Municipal health officials, out of the 10,000 households in Kotido municipality, over 8,700 lack sanitary latrines.
The lack of proper human waste management, has however, been attributed blamed for rampant cases of diarrhoea, and typhoid cases in the Municipality rising from poor hygiene and sanitation.
It’s for this reason that Central Division leaders have pledged to promote hygiene and sanitation the practice by enacting bylaws to dissuade people from practicing open defecation and irresponsible disposal of garbage.
Speaking during the swearing-in and handover ceremony on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Rose Namoe Chilla the LCIII Chairperson of Kotido Central Division, said improving hygiene and sanitation is among the key prioritise her leadership will focus on in the first three months in office.
Achila observed that she intends to constitute village sanitation committee across the division who will be monitoring and arresting people practicing open defecation
Jaffar Van Logiel, the male Councilor representing Central ward highlighted dire status of hygiene and sanitation in the division and called for combine efforts to improve the situation.
It should be noted that this is not the first time, authorities in Kotido Municipality have warned of tough action against individuals without latrines in their households.
On February 7 by the Health Inspector of Kotido Municipality, Callisto Awar, issued three-month ultimatum specific landlords including leaders in the municipality without latrines to dig up latrines, or else their premises would be closed.
However, one year down the, no action has been taken against landlords and individuals who don’t have pit latrines in their households.
According to the Public Health Act of 2000, this offense carries legal consequences that may lead to closure or fines of 8 shillings per day after litigation, starting from the time the order is issued.
With the new political leaders in place with a lot of vigor, it remains to been seen, what mechanisms will they use to end the practice of open defecation in the municipality.
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Also read: https://www.radiocomnetu.org/etoilakaramoja/2025/02/28/1138
