World Toilet Day: Harpic Champions Hygiene in Informal Settlements, Partners with Nairobi County to Promote Cleaner Public Toilets

Harpic, Kenya’s leading toilet and bathroom cleaning brand, has partnered with the Nairobi County Government to promote the importance of clean, safe and well-maintained public toilets as the world marked World Toilet Day.

This year’s commemoration was held at the Dagoretti Deputy County Commissioner’s compound, where Reckitt demonstrated proper cleaning practices for shared and high-traffic public toilets commonly found in markets and other busy public spaces.

Harpic used the occasion to highlight its expanded sanitation efforts in informal settlements, in line with the 2025 theme, “We’ll Always Need the Toilet.” As part of these efforts, the brand has sponsored the installation of eco-toilet units in Kisumu’s Nyalenda informal settlement through a partnership with Saniwise Technology, a social enterprise under the Reckitt Catalyst Initiative.

Six units are already operational, with five more under construction. These eco-toilets are built for long-term sustainability and come equipped with improved waste management systems and enhanced hygiene standards.

The project also includes a hygiene education programme for schools in Nyalenda, encouraging children to adopt lifelong sanitation habits and influence better hygiene practices at home. Additionally, Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are being trained to conduct household visits and provide families with practical guidance on improving sanitation and maintaining cleaner environments.

Through Harpic, Reckitt continues to drive sustainable behaviour change while supporting environmentally responsible sanitation infrastructure. To date, Harpic has built more than 190 toilets in informal settlements across Kenya and, for the past eight years, has run a nationwide door-to-door sanitation programme that teaches proper toilet hygiene and improves access to Harpic products through discounted sales.

In Nairobi, Harpic led a community clean-up exercise and distributed cleaning products to help residents maintain sanitary facilities and protect themselves from sanitation-related diseases.

“We are delighted to take part in this year’s World Toilet Day here in Dagoretti. As champions of toilet hygiene, it is encouraging to see community members eager to learn how to keep their toilets clean and safeguard their health,” said Mustapha Bugaje, Country Manager, Reckitt Kenya.

“This year’s theme truly reflects what Harpic stands for. Toilets are essential for everyone, everywhere. Sanitation is crucial for public health, dignity and environmental protection — but it only works when facilities are kept hygienic, and that is where Harpic plays an important role.”

World Toilet Day is a United Nations observance aimed at accelerating action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and advance Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. This year’s theme underscores that safe, affordable and sustainable sanitation is a basic human right.

In Nairobi and other major towns, many residents — especially those living in informal settlements — rely on shared toilets used by multiple households. Limited access to clean, safe facilities exposes them to diseases linked to poor sanitation.

According to the WHO, 3.4 billion people still lack safely managed sanitation services, placing them at higher risk of illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, intestinal worms and Hepatitis B. Globally, only 58% of the population currently uses sanitation systems that safely manage waste through proper disposal or treatment.