Landlords given ultimatum to construct latrines by May

28 February 2025, 3:50 pm

By Stanley Ebele

Landlords in Kotido Municipality have been issued an ultimatum to build latrines in 90 days or face litigation or closure.

The warning was issued on February 7 by the Health Inspector of Kotido Municipality, Callisto Awar, in a written communication to specific landlords without latrines in the municipality.

The 90-day ultimatum targets landlords with rental properties, residences, factories, workshops, and bakeries within the municipality that lack latrines, thereby causing or contributing to public nuisance, an offense that can lead to annoyance or facilitate the spread of infections.

A nuisance is any act or omission that includes, but is not limited to, the absence of a latrine (leading to open defecation), bushy compounds, uncovered or poorly maintained manholes, sewage leakage, poor garbage management, or any other condition that displeases the public and authorities.

According to the Public Health Act of 2000, this offense carries legal consequences that may lead to closure or fines of 8 shillings per day after litigation, starting from the time the order is issued.

Official estimates indicate that over 8,700 of the 10,000 households in the municipality lack sanitary latrines.

Eugine Olanya, a Health Assistant in North Division, emphasised that this is the right time for authorities to enforce proper latrine coverage.

He described the situation as both a shame and a legal nuisance, highlighting the potential consequences, including closures and fines.

Investigations reveal that this directive was issued by Kotido District Resident Commissioner, Charles Ichogor, who has repeatedly expressed dismay over Kotido’s low latrine coverage, which currently stands at less than 20%.