Includes Appendix and Reference

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim for universal access to safely managedsanitation by 2030 and also emphasizes eradication of open defecation as a way to promotepathogen-free environment. Despite efforts to improve sanitation standards, significant
challenges still persist, particularly in developing regions inhabited by pastoral communitiesand could be linked to unique components in the society. This study investigatedtheinfluence of social cultural, economic and demographic factors on access to safely managedsanitation in pastoral communities of Saku Sub-County, Kenya, where sanitation accessisnotably low. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. The researcher employedsemi-structured questionnaires to gather data from 100 household heads and samplesizedetermined using Yamane's adjusted formula. Stratified technique of sampling was usedtoclassify the area based on its Wards and simple-random sampling based on populationsizeconsidered in selecting household heads. Data analysis was conducted using SPSSversion26 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated a correlation betweenhouseholds with school-aged children and a lower likelihood of constructing safe toilets. These households often prioritized educational expenses, such as school fees and food, oversanitation improvements. Gender roles were significant predictors of safe toilets adoptionat
the households (β=0.138, p=0.01). The nature of work for women such as having tolookforwater and for men like herding in lonely places where there were no toilets attractedopendefecation cases. Latrine utilization was minimal at night due to safety concerns amongfemales as indicated by 72% of the respondents. The cultural beliefs held in the regionhadanegative influence on toilet adoption (β=-0.130, p=0.040) while level of awareness onsanitation-related matters among the residents positively influenced adoption of safe toilets, thus increased access to safe sanitation (β=0.127, p=0.011). Construction of toilets nearsome households was undermined by the fear that the toilet pits would kill or injurelivestock, which seemed to be given the highest priority. Traditions that revolvedaroundrestriction of latrine sharing between grown-ups and children attracted cases of opendefecation even with access to toilets which suggested a need for toilets separation. Economic status of residents significantly affected adoption of safe toilets at the households(p<0.05). The study recommends context-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and genderinclusive sanitation interventions supported by education, community engagement, andpolicy measures—while calling for further research on socio-cultural influences andmulti-stakeholder policy approaches to improve sustainable sanitation in pastoral communities.