Toilet Tourism - The Unexpected Kenya’s Loos

When you think of a Kenyan vacation, what comes to mind? Probably a sunrise safari in the Maasai Mara, flamingos shimmering over Lake Nakuru, or Diani’s postcard-perfect beaches. Toilets? Not exactly what you'd highlight on Instagram.

Flamingos in Lake Nakuru, Kenya (Credit: @hobopeeba [IG])

But what if the humble loo is one of the most honest reflections of a country’s social heartbeat? Welcome to Toilet Tourism, an unexpectedly eye-opening journey across Kenya, where every pit latrine, eco-loo, and mural-covered restroom has a story to tell. And some of them are surprisingly inspiring.

At FLUSH, we believe toilets are much more than just facilities; they’re powerful symbols of modernity, storytelling, and culture. They serve as mirrors reflecting who we are, benchmarks of dignity, and, when given the chance, even vibrant canvases for public art. So, grab your hand sanitizer and your sense of wonder, we’re about to take you on a journey like no other.

Stop 1: Nairobi’s Pay-Per-Pee Problem ★★☆☆☆

Our first stop on Kenya’s toilet tour: Nairobi. The city hums with matatus (mini-buses) blasting Gengetone (a bold, bass-heavy music genre), boda bodas (motorbikes) zigzagging through traffic, and sleek towers casting shadows over tin kiosks. Amid the energy, pay-per-use public toilets quietly carry a lot of weight.

For 5-20 shillings ($0.04-$0.15), you can get a moment of relief, and maybe some tissue if you’re lucky. But for someone earning under 200 shillings ($1.55) a day, especially women or caregivers, that’s a daily calculation. For Kenyans, sanitation is a budget line item.

A Public pay-per-use Toilet in Nairobi CBD (Credit: KDRTV)

After sunset? Safety becomes the real cost. A 2021 report found 61% of women in Nairobi’s informal settlements feared using public toilets at night.  Many resort to “flying toilets” which are plastic bags flung into the dark. It’s dehumanizing, but for many, it’s the only option.

Nakuru County has made steady progress in expanding public sanitation, with recent investments in facilities in Kabatini, Bahati, and Lanet Umoja, as noted in the Nakuru County Health Sector Report 2022. Yet, accessibility remains a major blind spot. In a recent assessment of 30 public toilets, only 3 met basic accessibility standards, which equates to 1 in 10. That means most still lack ramps, handrails, or wide-door entryways that cater to people living with disabilities. This lack of inclusivity is especially glaring in a county striving toward urban modernization. Without accessible sanitation, many are still excluded from one of the most basic public services: having a safe, usable place to go.

This stop on the tour reveals a harsh reality: even in Kenya’s capital, the most fundamental form of dignity isn’t guaranteed.

Stop 2: Artful Toilets and Grassroots Grit ★★★★☆

Next stop: Kibera, Africa’s largest informal settlement, and a place where toilets do more than flush, they speak. Covered in bold murals, many of Kibera’s public toilets double as art pieces. Slogans like “Clean Hands, Healthy Lives” and “Our Toilet, Our Pride” turn these spaces into symbols of dignity and community pride.

A public toilet which is managed by a youth group in Nairobi’s Majengo slum situated in the Pumwani area of Kamukunji Sub-County (Credit: Justine Ondieki)

In Kisumu County, a youth-led initiative transformed a deteriorating latrine into a vibrant hygiene hub. The facility now features handwashing stations, hosts monthly health forums, and boasts a fresh, colorful coat of paint. Their motto? “Flush ignorance, not dignity.” This project was accomplished with 50,000 shillings ($386.94) raised from a local boda boda SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization), exemplifying grassroots determination and community-driven action.  

These aren’t just toilets. They’re local landmarks, reminders that when communities take the lead, sanitation becomes a celebration, not a burden.

Stop 3: Turkana’s Off-Grid Innovation ★★★☆☆

Our next stop takes us north to Turkana, a place of stark desert beauty, fossil beds, and the shimmering jade waters of Lake Turkana. It’s a region rich in history and natural wonder. But beyond the scenic views and UNESCO plaques lies a harsher reality: widespread open defecation, collapsing pit latrines, and chronic water scarcity.

Toilet built for Lokiriama Primary School, Turkana County (Credit: Jared Nyataya – Nation Media Group)

That’s where off-grid eco-toilets step in. These urine-diverting dry toilets don’t need plumbing or piped water, just smart design and community willpower. In Turkana’s dry, remote terrain, they’re turning waste into compost and restoring a bit of dignity where it’s been lacking for far too long.

They may not come with mirrors or marble countertops, but they work. And on this tour, that earns them more than a passing glance.

Stop 4: Eco-Toilets in the Wild ★★★★☆

Next up: the bush. In Kenya’s national parks, it’s not unusual to share a restroom queue with a curious baboon or 2. At Hell’s Gate and Mount Longonot, the Kenya Wildlife Service has rolled out dry eco-toilets that use zero water, manage waste on-site, and leave the landscape exactly as the antelopes like it.

These “loos with a view” prove that conservation and sanitation can hike the same trail. A simple shift, big environmental returns, and a restroom selfie you’ll actually want to keep.

Loo with a view in Maasai Mara National Park (Credit: Sharon M.)

The Stats Behind the Smells

Before we reach our final stop, let’s pause for a reality check: Kenya’s population is approximately 57 million people. Yet, 2 out of 3 Kenyans still lack access to safely managed toilets. This is more than just a statistic; it’s a national crisis. Over 5 million people continue to practice open defecation, with the heaviest burden falling on women, girls, and people with disabilities. This issue is not only about where people go; it’s about health, safety, dignity, and the fundamental right to privacy. 

Stop 5: CHVs and CLTS – Homegrown Heroes ★★★★★

Our final stop celebrates the real stars of Kenya’s sanitation journey: the communities themselves.

In places like Kakamega and Homa Bay Counties, Community Health Volunteers, often women from the local community, go door-to-door with soap, stories, and solutions. They repair broken water points, teach handwashing through songs and smiles, and construct tippy taps from jerrycans and string.

Meanwhile, local leaders are embracing Community-Led Total Sanitation, a movement rooted in pride rather than punishment. Families are building and maintaining their own toilets, not because they’re told to, but because they believe in the change.

No big budgets. No glossy campaigns. Just heart, hustle, and homemade hardware. And honestly? It can work.

Eco-toilet invented by a Youth Group, Saniwise, in Kisumu County (Credit: Paul Kidero - UNICEF Kenya)

So, What’s the Big Deal About Kenyan Toilets?

In Kenya, toilets are more than just places to “go.” They shape who feels safe, who shows up to school, who travels with dignity, and who gets left behind. For girls in rural schools, a clean, private toilet can mean the difference between staying in class and dropping out. For people with disabilities, it can mean freedom or a daily struggle. And for entire communities, it’s a matter of health, pride, and public trust.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: despite progress, access remains deeply unequal. Too many households, schools, and public spaces still lack even the most basic sanitation. Meanwhile, in shopping malls and airports, restrooms are modern, spotless, and even Instagrammable. This contrast isn’t just inconvenient; it’s unjust. It reflects a wider inequality, where comfort and dignity are a luxury for some, while others are left behind in silence. Toilets, in the end, tell a powerful story of who is seen, who is served, and who is still waiting.

Children’s Voices Promote Toilet Use (Credit: World Vision Kenya)

So next time you visit Kenya, don’t just chase sunsets and safari shots. Notice the toilets. Cheer for the mural-covered loo. Applaud the eco-toilet in the bush. Share the tippy tap story. Behind every toilet is a tale of dignity and design, and that’s what Toilet Tourism is really all about.

At FLUSH, we believe toilets deserve more than silence. They deserve storytelling.