Kwale links public sanitation to small business growth
A public sanitation facility incorporating commercial shops is set to strengthen hygiene services and create business opportunities in Ukunda following a joint final inspection by officials from Kwale Water and Sewerage Company (KWAWASCO) and the project engineer.
The ablution block was developed under the World Bank-funded Water and Sanitation Development Project (WSDP), which supports investments aimed at improving access to essential water and sanitation services in selected parts of Kenya.
During the inspection, the team reviewed the facility to assess the progress of the works and its readiness to serve the public. The development combines public toilets with shop spaces, bringing sanitation services and small-scale commercial activities together within one facility.
The project is expected to provide residents, traders and visitors with a designated place to access public toilet services while offering opportunities for small businesses to operate from the adjoining commercial units.
Ukunda is an important commercial centre in Kwale County, serving communities around the Diani coastal tourism area. Its busy trading activities and the movement of residents and visitors create demand for reliable public amenities, including clean toilets, proper waste disposal facilities and accessible sanitation services.
The development of public ablution blocks is therefore an important part of improving urban hygiene and maintaining clean public spaces. Where adequate facilities are unavailable, people may face difficulties finding safe and convenient sanitation services, particularly in busy markets and commercial centres.
Properly managed public toilets help reduce environmental pollution associated with poor sanitation while supporting efforts to protect public health. In a coastal county such as Kwale, effective sanitation management is also important for safeguarding beaches, marine ecosystems and other natural resources that support tourism and local livelihoods.
The addition of shops to the Ukunda facility gives the project an economic dimension beyond the provision of sanitation services. The commercial units can provide space for small traders to conduct business, serve customers and participate in the area’s economic activities.
The arrangement brings together two community needs: access to public sanitation and opportunities for local commercial enterprise. However, the long-term benefits will depend on how the facility is managed, the allocation and use of the shop spaces, and the maintenance of the public toilets.
The inspection comes amid wider efforts to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Kwale County through partnerships involving the national government, county authorities, water service providers and development partners.
The Water and Sanitation Development Project has supported infrastructure investments across Kenya’s coastal and north-eastern regions. These interventions include water supply systems, sewerage improvements and public sanitation facilities intended to improve service delivery and strengthen the capacity of water service providers.
A World Bank implementation report published in 2025 identified ablution blocks in Ukunda and Kwale town among the completed works under the programme. The facilities form part of investments intended to improve access to sanitation services in growing urban areas.
KWAWASCO plays an important role in delivering water and sanitation services within its service area. Investments in public sanitation infrastructure complement broader efforts to improve hygiene, manage wastewater and address the needs of communities as towns expand.
For the Ukunda facility to deliver lasting benefits, consistent cleaning, reliable water supply, proper disposal of waste and timely maintenance will be essential. Effective management will also be necessary to ensure the commercial units remain productive and do not interfere with the cleanliness and accessibility of the public sanitation section.
The joint inspection by KWAWASCO officials and the project engineer highlights the importance of reviewing infrastructure before it is fully handed over for use and ensuring that completed works meet their intended purpose.
As Ukunda continues to serve as a key commercial and tourism centre, improved public sanitation facilities can contribute to a cleaner urban environment and a more dignified experience for residents and visitors.
The project illustrates how investments in essential public amenities can combine sanitation improvements with space for economic activity, supporting broader efforts to promote public health, environmental protection and sustainable community development in Kwale County.
