Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok has come up with a peculiar idea for his county residents as he advised them to use cow urine in place of sanitizers.
The Governor advised that the use of soap and water was, however, superior that sanitizers but if they lack any of the three, they can go for the cow urine as an alternative.
“The first frontline is to wash your hands with soap. I think to me it is the most effective way. Use sanitizers only when you cannot access water and other things,” he said while addressing the Council of Governors at Movenpick, Nairobi.
“I have seen people using cow urine, they are using the same old technique. In fact, they have been using it to disinfect the cow udder before milking and it has been very effective,” he added.
The Governor stated that those using the cow urine as sanitizers know it is effective to some extent.
“They have adopted that without asking because they know it is effective but I think the responsibility is for all of us.”
Over the years, some traditional methods have been used by most communities but they have never been scientifically proven.
Experts advise that for people to stay safe, they have to use methods that have been medically proven lest they risk being infected.
A specialist who spoke to a local daily, argues that cow urine has been used by most people who do not have access to water. It would keep the hands clean but it is not a disinfectant.
“Cow urine cannot disinfect but it will keep hands clean, it is not a disinfectant but it is mostly comprised of water so it will keep their hands clean, “argued Professor Mwatilu Mwai adding that risk of other infections is guaranteed since cows also have sexually transmitted infections.