Kenya Red Cross Society is distributing 50,000 shoes to school going pupils in Kisumu and Siaya Counties as a way of celebrating humanitarian service to Kenyans to mark 50 years in existence.
The local Manager in charge of the two counties Emmanuel Owako said that the move is aimed at reducing jigger infestation among the school going children.
Owako said that most pupils stay away from school due to jigger menace thus affecting their learning.
“For a better performance and to ensure pupils do not miss lessons, we must fight jiggers, that is why we are giving out free shoes to school going children,” said Owako.
He said that Red Cross is partnering with Free Tom’s shoes, a company in UK to give out free shoes to improve retention of pupils in school.
Speaking during the launch of the distribution at Kanyagwal Primary School in Kisumu County on Thursday, Owako urged both the national and county governments to increase cash allocation to health dockets to address hygiene in schools.
“Eradication of jiggers needs concerted effort and nobody should be left behind in this fight,” said Owako.
He said 25,000 pupils in each county will benefit from the free shoes as part of the hygienic promotion within the Red Cross Society.
Owako said jiggers must be eradicated to ensure performance in schools is improved and planned an awareness creation among the community on benefits of maintaining good hygiene.