An anti-jiggers campaign initiative being driven by Kisii County women representative Mary Otara has started.
According to the initiative campaign coordinator, Edward Mauti, it will be targeting all children and the elderly who are facing the problem of jiggers in the county.
“Currently, according to the Ministry of Health, Kisii County is ranked among those having people highly affected by the jiggers and we believe the exercise will reduce the numbers or make sure they are all gotten rid off,” said Mauti.
Speaking during the first phase of the campaign at Etureti primary school, Mauti said the area was the one linked with high numbers of affected people with the jiggers.
Women representative Mary Otara, while speaking when she launched the anti-jigger campaign, challenged the government to step up the war on jiggers rather wait for help from donors.
She said the government has the capacity to eradicate the disease but was reluctant and waiting for individuals and organisations for assistance which come late when the damage has been done already.
"Although jiggers' infestation is a serious threat to the welfare of the children in this country, there is lack of political goodwill from the government to eradicate it; they have the capacity to eradicate it by small allocation," said Otara.
The anti-jiggers campaign is expected to be carried out in the county for the next one month and it will be focusing on affected children and the elderly.