10 million at risk of jigger infestation, says Health minister

By Boniface Gikandi

At least 10 million Kenyans are at risk of being infested with jiggers, Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo says.

The menace has been reported in a number of districts in Central, Nyanza, Coast and Rift Valley provinces.

Mugo said, the Government aims to eliminate jiggers in the worst hit districts — Murang’a North, Murang’a South, Kericho and Kwale — by the end of June.

"We also intend to reduce infestation of jiggers by 30 per cent within the same period," said Mrs Mugo.

She also said commodities to support interventions worth Sh13 million have been bought, in a speech read on her behalf by Dr Sammy Makama, during a ‘Personal Hygiene Education’ campaign by Ahadi Kenya and Kenya Airways’ staff, at Gitugi Primary School in Mathioya Constituency.

Mugo regretted the slow campaign of jigger eradication.

She said her ministry would give more focus on measures to control and prevent the menace, especially in rural areas, this year.

They include continuous health education in schools, communities and organised groups.

Ahadi Kenya Trust Executive Director Stanley Kamau says over two million people are affected. He said the trust has only managed to treat and rehabilitate 1,000 people.found over 800 pupils infested.

The anti-jigger campaign has succeeded at the school.