Public health officers and community health promoters have called on the government to urgently regulate the disposal of diapers, warning that poor waste management is turning the widely used childcare product into a growing public health and environmental threat.
Officials from the Kirinyaga County Department of Health say diapers are being disposed of indiscriminately across farms, roadsides, and open spaces, a problem they note is prevalent across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 7, residents and health promoters warned that if proper disposal mechanisms cannot be enforced, the government should consider banning diapers altogether.
While acknowledging the convenience and hygiene benefits of diapers, stakeholders said misuse and careless disposal have attracted flies and rodents, increasing the risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, and amoebiasis.
They called for the introduction of dedicated disposal bins and stricter enforcement of waste management laws. Under the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, improper waste disposal is an offence punishable by fines, prosecution, or both.
