Poverty, ignorance and drunkenness have been identified as the major factors leading several families to be affected by jiggers in Gusii region.
The county government of Kisii has been urged to release drugs to help the affected families in a region that many still are still in denial of the prevalence of the pest.
According to Kisii County Community clinical officer Kepha King’oina, the jigger problem needs to be addressed urgently and measures put in place to help the affected families.
He has appealed to the county government through the department of health to move with speed in providing medication and funding awareness campaigns.
King'oina has also blamed the county's Health department for the delay in releasing a consignment that is said to be awaiting official launch.
Speaking at Kegati area in Nyaribari Chache Constutiency on Sunday, he said that the problem requires an immediate response.
“We ask the country government to speed up the process of launching drugs so that we can reach the affected people comprehensively. Sometimes they may not know the help that is needed like us who usually visit them, ” he said.
In addition, he said when visiting affected families they face many challenges and appealed for immediate support from the county government and non-governmental organisations.
“Most people are not taking this challenge as seriously as it is supposed to be. We need to address this matter since it has affected many people who need medical attention ,” King'oina added.