PS Muthoni leads Ruiru clean-up as gov’t pushes hygiene initiative

By Lawrence Ongaro

The national and county governments are strengthening their collaboration to promote cleanliness through a special initiative dubbed “Avoid Dirt, Healthy Home.”

The campaign focuses on improving public hygiene, preventing disease, and encouraging healthier living conditions across communities.

On Friday, January 30, the Principal Secretary for Public Health, Ms. Mary Muthoni, toured Ruiru Sub-County, Kaimbu County, where she joined traders at Ruiru Main Market in a clean-up exercise aimed at reinforcing the importance of sanitation in public spaces. She was accompanied by Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Elias Maina, alongside other national and county officials.

Focus hygiene and disease prevention

While addressing traders and residents, Ms. Muthoni stressed three key pillars of healthy living: proper healthcare, good nutrition, and the use of safe, clean water. She noted that maintaining hygiene at both personal and environmental levels plays a major role in reducing the spread of communicable diseases.

“Cleanliness must be observed at all times, from our own bodies to the environment where we live,” she said as she participated in waste collection at the busy market.

Principal Secretary Ms. Mary Muthoni (right) inspecting the state of cleanliness at Ruiru Main Market. Photo/Lawrence Ongaro

The PS revealed that she has already visited 18 counties to champion the message of improved sanitation and public health. Among the counties she has toured are Migori, West Pokot, Machakos, and Kiambu. She urged factory owners operating in Ruiru and surrounding areas to ensure wastewater is properly managed and not released into residential zones.

“If we prevent environmental pollution, many diseases will certainly be avoided,” she emphasized.

Ms. Muthoni also raised concern over the rising use of illicit alcohol and drugs in residential areas. She called on parents to closely monitor their children’s behavior, warning that substance abuse is destroying the future of many young people. According to her, Kiambu County ranks fifth nationally in cases of drug and illicit alcohol abuse.

Call for early cancer screening

Dr Elias Maina used the opportunity to urge women to prioritize regular hospital visits for breast and cervical cancer screening. He said early detection remains the most effective way to improve survival rates.

He disclosed that recent screening data showed that of 6,000 women screened, 3,000 who were diagnosed with cervical cancer later died — a statistic he described as worrying and a clear sign that many cases are detected too late.

Women were encouraged to seek screening services even when they feel healthy.

“If cancer is detected at stage one or two, it is much easier to treat than when it advances to stage three or four,” Dr. Maina said.

The leaders reiterated that community participation is vital to the success of the hygiene campaign, noting that a clean environment is the foundation of a healthy nation.