Murang’a County has officially launched the Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani initiative, becoming the eighth county in the country to activate the household health and sanitation programme. The campaign aims to transform household and community practices around hygiene, sanitation, and waste management to reduce the prevalence of preventable diseases.
The initiative emphasizes the idea that good health begins at home. By focusing on simple, everyday actions such as proper waste disposal, handwashing, and keeping living spaces clean, the programme seeks to reduce the disease burden that often overwhelms health facilities. Beyond curative healthcare, the campaign prioritizes prevention, which is seen as a critical step toward achieving universal health coverage.
The Ministry of Health highlighted the importance of this community-driven effort in complementing ongoing national health strategies. Preventive health, according to officials, must become a household reality rather than being confined to hospitals and clinics. Families and communities are encouraged to take active responsibility for their own wellbeing through consistent and sustainable cleanliness practices.
During the Murang’a activation, health officials stressed that the county’s leadership and community involvement will be instrumental in ensuring the programme’s success. Residents were urged to embrace the initiative as a way of improving not just their personal health but also the overall development of their communities. Cleaner homes and neighborhoods mean fewer outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and malaria, all of which are preventable when sanitation is prioritized.
The programme also underscores the economic benefits of prevention. By reducing the incidence of preventable illnesses, households and counties can save resources otherwise spent on treatment and hospital care. These savings can then be redirected to other areas of development, such as education, infrastructure, and job creation, ultimately contributing to stronger and more resilient communities.
Local leaders present at the event expressed their commitment to supporting the campaign and ensuring it reaches grassroots communities across Murang’a. They emphasized that a united approach involving government, county leadership, and households is vital for lasting impact.
With Murang’a now on board, the Epuka Uchafu, Afya Nyumbani initiative continues to gain momentum nationwide, strengthening the message that a healthy nation begins with clean homes and communities.
