Kisii Member of the National Assembly Mary Otara has warned local communities from Riana Ward in Bonchari Sub-County against stigmatizing and discriminating children infested with jiggers, and instead support them.
Otara regretted that many of the local community members treated those infested as social outcasts in their midst.
Speaking at Etureti D.O.K Primary School, Riana Ward during the launch of anti-jiggers campaign in the area, Otara reminded local communities that being infested with jiggers was not a curse, and anybody can be infested depending on the environment one lives in.
"I am challenging local community members to treat those infested with jiggers, especially children with love and care through support to ensure their homesteads are kept clean to keep the fleas at bay,” stated Otara.
She challenged local community members to work closely with Bonchari Rescue team to ensure those treated from jiggers have their homesteads kept clean through observation of both personal hygiene and good public sanitation.
Underscoring the importance of fighting the jigger menace, Otara regretted that if communities discriminated and stigmatized children infested with jiggers, their future will be ruined as they will be ostracized from their communities and drop out of school due to social stigma, both in their immediate communities and schools.