At least 10 million Kenyans are at risk of being infested with jiggers, this is according to the ministry of health.
Warfa Osman the director in the ministry of health said 2 million people have been infested by the parasite with the menace being prevalent in 24 counties.
Speaking at Mihang’o primary school in Makuyu Murang’a during the National Jigger Awareness day, Osman who represented cabinet secretary for health Mutahi Kagwe said the war to eradicate the menace is far from over.
He said small children, elderly and people with disabilities are the most vulnerable to this menace.
He however said there has been a reduction of the infestation by 70 percent over the past 10 years attributing it to concerted efforts by the health officers and partners.
He pointed out the spread of the jiggers reduced significantly over the past one year since the out break of corona virus as people have been observing high levels of personal hygiene.
Osman said lack of information, poor house keeping, abject poverty and low hygiene standards are some of the contributing factors to the jigger infestation.
He said the ministry is putting in effort to completely eradicate the menace in the country.
Momina Boyana, the chief administrative secretary for education said the ministry is focusing on school going children who have been infested with jiggers to ensure they remain in school
Boyana lauded Ahadi Kenya Trust for spearheading the campaigns against jigger infestation where it has distributed 6.5 million pairs of shoes to school going children.
Ahadi Kenya Trust boss Dr Stanley Kamau urged the government to consider establishing a kitty to cater for the jigger victims. He also said the victims need to be empowered for them to improve their livelihood and fight the menace.