Iko-toilet' wins global recognition

By HAROLD AYODO

Until recently, public toilets in Nairobi and Kenya's urban centres were an eyesore, dreaded answers to calls of nature.

The dilapidated facilities were a no-go zone for many who preferred walking into hotels or offices for relief.

Some private ventures came in to ameliorate the situation by providing clean, convenient facilities.

Last month, iko toilets proprietor was recognized for his efforts and awarded a three-kilogramme gold-plated trophy and Sh2.4 million in cash in Dubai.

Ecotact chief executive officer David Kuria received the international award at the United Arab Emirates. Ecotact is the firm behind iko toilet innovation.

"I was humbled when it was announced that the only winners - from different categories in Africa were Kenya and Angola," said Kuria.

Kuria displays the award he won in Dubai last month, the latest in a string of recognitions. [PHOTOS: HAROLD AYODO and MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD]

Winners in other categories were from Argentina, Austria, Spain, Brazil, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Lebanon, Mexico and Mongolia.

Dubai deputy ruler Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and United Nations Habitat regional director Daniel Biau presented the award.

"Our public toilets beat 384 nominees from 60 countries worldwide to clinch The Dubai International Best Practice Award to Improve the Living Environment," Kuria said.

According to the UN, about 2.5 billion people still lack access to improved sanitation and 1.2 billion practice open defecation.

Furthermore, 1.6 million people, mostly children under the age of five die annually from water and sanitation-related diseases.

The award-winning concept that iko-toilets employ comprise a "toilet mall" where toilets are availed at the modest cost of Sh5, as well as shops that stock snacks and barber shops. Piped music is also offered.

The Dubai International Best Practice Award to Improve the Living Environment is the latest recognition that Ecotact has bagged over the past three years, Kuria said.

Others are the Guinness Book of World Record, the Clinton Global Initiative and African Ministers Council on Water, among others.

WINNING RECOGNITION

"We also bagged the African Social Economic Forum Entrepreneur of the Year during the World Economic Forum in South Africa last year," Kuria said.

The former Nairobi City Council Planning Department employee says he never anticipated winning international recognition this soon.

"The world could not believe that our public toilets were places people avoided like the plague for decades until we started iko toilets three years ago," Kuria said, adding that the toilets provide employment for 120 youths.

"We train them how to maintain the toilets for a week and give them trendy uniform," said Kuria.

The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-trained architect said many countries were replicating the iko toilet concept.

"Our motto is thinking beyond a toilet…every iko toilet has at least 10 employed youth with decent salaries," Kuria said.

Kuria said the recognition by the UN Habitat meant Kenya was making strides towards proper sanitation ahead of the Millennium Development Goals.

Currently, Ecotact has constructed 50 toilets in 20 municipalities countrywide – 12 in Nairobi alone – serving 6.2 million people last year, up from 3.8 million people in 2009.

"We aim to serve 10 million users across the country this year when we will launch branches in Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar," Kuria said.

He added they have incorporated the iko toilet model in iko maji initiative towards delivering clean water to one million citizens by 2015.

"We are working with the Water Services Bard, Water Trust Fund, Constitituency Development Fund and local authorities," Kuria says.

Other collaboration partners include corporations, international organizations, East African Breweries Ltd and Charity Water from the US.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Ecotact started as a social enterprise in 2006 to develop innovative investments in environmental sanitation and management globally.

The iko-toilet initiative is the flagship project that comprises a "toilet mall" to provide clean, safe and hygienic sanitation in urban areas.

Iko-toilets are currently found in Nairobi, Nakuru, Meru, Embu, Othaya, Eldoret, Kakamega, Vihiga, Limuru, Machakos, Mwingi, Wote and Ruiru.