Kimuka Village

FAST FACTS:

Village Location: KAJIADO COUNTY

# of Villagers: 900-1200

Village Started: SEPTEMBER 2024

# of Households Surveyed: 125

# of Villagers Who Started in the CHEC:  125

Graduation Date: 

# Graduated from Health Training: 

# of Participants in Economic Training: 

Primary Economic Groups: 

Kimuka is a village located in Kajiado County, Kajiado West sub-county, Ewuaso Division, Ewuaso Ward, within Kimuka Location. The village has a population of approximately 900-1,200 people, with the main livelihood activities being livestock keeping and, in some households, subsistence farming. 

Kimuka Village is one of two remote pilot projects GHC is leading, alongside Soklo Village on Mfangano Island. For 13 weeks, GHC provided remote training to a local team in Kimuka, followed by an intensive 3-day hands-on session in Kisii. Now fully prepared, the Kimuka CHEC team is ready to implement GHC’s mission of empowering communities through health and economic education.

In September 2024, GHC conducted baseline surveys of 125 households in Kimuka, covering health, economic, and social aspects. Every household surveyed expressed interest in joining the CHEC, showing strong enthusiasm for the project.

The GHC team started the 24-week health training curriculum to 125 members the second week of October.

In Kimuka, 90% of households lack shower shelters, with many residents bathing inside or behind their homes. About 50% of households share latrines with neighbors, but these are often in poor condition, and some residents resort to using the bushes or areas behind their homes as toilets.

According to local health officers, the most common diseases in the village include ringworms, intestinal worms, nutritional deficiencies, jiggers, scabies, dysentery, diarrhea, headaches, eye infections (caused by flies, dust, and strong sun), cholera, flu, tetanus, and respiratory diseases like pneumonia.

Many households are unhygienic, with bedding rarely aired out and homes often unswept. Residents typically spend their days working in daily-wage jobs, leaving little time to open windows and doors for fresh air and light. Some households also share living spaces with calves, goats, and chickens, using animal droppings to plaster their homes.

Water sources include rooftop rainwater collection, constructed rainwater ponds, and private wells, but the water is shared with livestock and wild animals. Most families do not treat or boil their drinking water, either due to a lack of knowledge about what constitutes clean water or the belief that the water is already safe to drink.

Despite these obstacles, GHC is optimistic about Kimuka's future. The villagers have shown a warm welcome and are eager to learn about WASH, disease prevention, financial literacy, and social empowerment. They are motivated to explore new economic activities that will help elevate their community and improve their living conditions.