Residents in Kangundo, Machakos County, have been warned against stigmatising epileptics.
Speaking in her office at Kangundo Level Four Hospital on Wednesday, Dr Supa Tunje said many epileptic individuals face stigma thus making it hard for them to fit in the society.
The doctor said many epileptic individuals find it hard to secure jobs or get married because many people fear them and avoid being associated with them.
"Epileptic individuals are normal people and should accepted as they are. It is a pity that they get stigmatised for a condition they did not choose for themselves,” said Tunje.
She added, "No one wishes to have such a condition and so they do not deserve the treatment they get.”
Dr Tunje cited cases of individuals getting epileptic attacks but instead of their colleagues helping them, they desert them, not knowing that some attacks could be fatal if proper action is not taken.
The doctor explained that the condition could be caused by genetic factors, strokes or head injuries that may lead to brain damage.
She also said that newborns could inherit the condition from their parents due to an oxygen deficit in the blood or brain malformation.