Kisii County Women Representative Mary Otara has disclosed that she will unveil an anti-jigger campaign in the nine sub-counties in Kisii County, to ensure children from vulnerable backgrounds are taken care of.
Otara clarified that her campaign will target at least one primary school in each of the nine sub-counties, to serve as a treatment centre for school children infested with jiggers in the local communities.
Speaking at Etureti DOK Primary School, Riana Ward in Bonchari sub-County after launching her anti-jigger campaign in partnership with Ahadi Kenya Trust, Otara underscored the importance of local communities observing both personal and public hygiene in their homes to avert infestation of jiggers.
Otara lamented that many children infested with jiggers cannot attend school, and those who manage to attend either drop out due to social stigma from their peers, or cannot concentrate on their education due to disturbance caused by the fleas.
"As your leader, I have a responsibility to ensure you and your children are free from jigger infestation, since the fleas are life threatening as they suck their hosts' blood, leading either to anaemia-related ailments or death if they are not treated early,” disclosed Otara.
She said it was out of her social work passion she has decided to intensify anti-jiggers campaign across the county, targeting school children who are the most vulnerable group in the society.