Ahadi Kenya foundation CEO Dr. Stanley Kamau the man behind the anti-jigger campaign in Kenya, led a team to St. Jude Nabuyeywe primary school in Bumula constituency Bungoma County where in conjunction with ‘Lotto’ treated more than 500 pupils affected with jiggers.
The parasites had affected almost all the pupils in the school, causing some to go insane and others to be absent from school because they cannot walk to school.
Dr. Kamau called on the national government to devolve primary education saying the governors are in a better position to handle issues such as jiggers ensuring the school environment is conducive for the pupils.
“It is so sad that at this time and era, we still have pupils who go to school without shoes, lack desks to sit and still sit on dusty floors” he said.
The Ahadi Kenya CEO has promised to bring desks for the school, so that the jigger menace might be reduced, he said he will make sure every pupil in primary schools in Bungoma county wears shoes.
“I will make sure I bring shoes to each and every pupil in this county, it is so shameful to find out that even teachers have been affected, now how will they help the pupils surely?” he asked.
He revealed that those affected by jiggers face stigmatization from the society and many are now living in isolation saying jigger menace is a hindrance to social economic development as those affected could hardly make a living as the pests had incapacitated them.
“Many people have been reduced to paupers by these parasites because they can’t work in their farms or do business due to the situation they are in” he added.
Ahadi Kenya foundation with Lotto also donated more than 2,000 shoes and sanitary towels for girls and balls to pupils from three different schools in the area (Nang’eni, St. Jude and Mayanja primary).
The menace which is so rampant in Bumula constituency has affected more school going pupils hence dropping out of school.
Bungoma county governor Kenneth Lusaka said his government will work hand in hand with other leaders to make sure that the menace is eradicated.
“With the help of people with good will like the Ahadi Kenya and Lotto, I think we will go far in jigger fighting.” He said.
“It has really caused major problems to our people, thanks to the media people because without them we could not know that we have a problem like this here,” addedLusaka.
Ahadi Kenya’s goodwill ambassador and former Miss Kenya, Cecilia Mwangi, said Kenyans should seek their neighbours out and help them if they are in need.
“Usually, people wait for someone else or a celebrity to initiate something before they act. But, this can be done by anybody and at any time.” she said.
“Doing something small, such as giving the thirsty water, or removing jiggers from a neighbour can make a huge difference in someone else’s life.”Cecilia added.
She donated sanitary towels to young girls.
She said those that are normally affected more are always young people who are innocent, urging parents to take care of young children hygienically.
A similar anti-jigger campaign was also launched in Kakamega county.
