Kenya has a population of about 38 million people and it has a total area of 582,648 square kilometers. 75-80% of this area is categorized as arid and semi arid area while the rest has high and minimum rainfall potential. The availability of fresh water in Kenya stands at 647m3 per capita which is against the required united nations acceptable levels of 1000m3 per capita. The little water resources in the country are also diminishing at a very alarming rate which is putting the country at a risk of the levels falling to 245m3 per capita in 2025. Poor access to safe drinking water and lack of proper sanitation is a mjor obstacle in achieving better health and proverty reduction in kenya. 60% of the population do not have access to safe drinking water and 49% lack basic sanitation facilities.
Most rural communities in Kenya spend 40% of their day time collecting water from distant sources, which leaves them with very little time and energy to perform other chores that improve their lives.This is a challenge that affects the children as it compromises their health and education.
74 out of every 1000 children in kenya do not live to see their fifth birthday due to preventable illness such as diarrhea and malaria that are associated to lack of access to safe water and proper sanitation. Diarrhea has a prevalance of 10.7% cent nationally with some regions having it rising to a percentage of 18. Acute diarrhea which is common to populations that have poor living environments contributes largely to the high levels of malnutrition and weak body immune system among other health and social consequences in most regions of the country.
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