Two people have reportedly died while hundreds of pupils have dropped out of school as a result of being in Vihiga county.
The deceased are from Ebusikhale and Ebusyubi villages, Luanda constituency.
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Caring for Kenyan Kids chair Jose Ang’ana said that
Luanda and Emuhaya constituencies are the worst hit by jiggers.
"We have treated more than 700 pupils who are jigger infested but the problem recurs [because] poverty and poor hygiene are a major challenge to our anti-jigger campaign," he said.
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Ang'ana said the most affected schools are Mumboha Primary School (170 pupils), Emutsuru Primary School (105 pupils), Ebusakami Primary School (90 pupils) and Ekamanji Primary School (80 pupils).
Others are Epang'a Primary School (70 pupils) and Ebusiralo Primary School (45 pupils).
Ang’ana said they have also rescued a 38-year-old woman from Ebwiranyi village who had been paralysed for eight years after being infected with jiggers.
He said the woman's husband abandoned her and married another woman.
CEO Charles McDonald said most of the
infested are
those who live with their grandparents.
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He asked Ahadi Kenya foundation and Lotto Kenya to help them get rid of the problem and ensure those pupils go back to school.
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Ebusiralo Primary head teacher Margaret Asiko said that she is worried that this year’s candidates
may not perform because of the jigger menace.
She
asked both county and national governments to help them in cementing the floors of their classrooms since the dusty classrooms are also breeding grounds for jiggers.