MP wants anti-jiggers fund for Embu slums

Embu, Kenya: Manyatta MP John Muchiri has asked Embu County Government to set up an anti-jiggers fund for slums.

Muchiri said jiggers have infested hundreds of residents in shanty towns, making it difficult for them to lead normal lives and affecting school attendance.

"Majority of children living in Grogan, Kathita and Shauri slums are affected by jiggers and shy away from school due to stigma. I have seen pupils whose toes have been eaten up by jiggers to a point of getting severed," he said.

Speaking at the Grogan slum where 200 children were treated for jiggers, the MP said he had set aside Sh400,000 to treat them, give them shoes and fumigate their homes.

County Public Health Officer, Joy Gakeni, advised residents to observe high levels of hygiene as a preventive measure against jiggers. menace.

She said provision of clean water to the slum residents would help those affected.