Murang’a: The Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi has underscored the importance of maintaining hygiene and decent housing in the fight against jiggers and other poverty-related diseases in the country. Mudavadi said maintaining clean living conditions remains one of the most effective ways of protecting vulnerable families, especially children and the elderly, from jigger infestation and other preventable infections.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mudavadi was speaking during the launch of the Ahadi Kenya Trust Jigger Archive and Community Resource Centre in Murang’a town. He stated that the fight against jiggers should be a collective responsibility to ensure no Kenyan continues to suffer from the painful condition. The establishment of the archive and resource centre marks a significant step in Kenya’s efforts to eradicate jigger infestation, a condition affecting poor rural communities.
Mudavadi highlighted that the centre will help preserve the history of Kenya’s efforts in combating jiggers while also serving as a learning and research facility for future generations. He emphasized the importance of celebrating the progress made in combating the jigger menace and honoring the resilience of survivors and affected families.
The PCS recounted that nearly two decades ago, more than three million Kenyans were affected by jiggers, with the worst-hit areas experiencing severe suffering among children and elderly individuals. He noted the impact on communities, where children missed school, families lived in pain and shame, and victims faced isolation and stigma.
Mudavadi praised Ahadi Kenya Trust, the Ministry of Health, Murang’a County Government, and other partners for their role in initiating and sustaining the anti-jigger campaign since 2007. He noted that the programme, which began in Murang’a County, expanded to other regions with high jigger prevalence rates.
He further mentioned that the government has strengthened efforts towards a jigger-free nation through policies and public awareness initiatives, highlighting the significance of the annual National Jigger Awareness Day.
Additionally, Mudavadi urged Kenyans to remain vigilant against Ebola following reports of cases in neighboring countries. He called for preventive measures akin to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic to stop the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Ahadi Kenya founder and CEO Dr. Stanley Kamau highlighted the organization’s achievements in the fight against jiggers through partnerships with various institutions and community groups. Kamau noted the organization’s success in awareness campaigns, hygiene promotion, and rehabilitation programmes, achieving a 90 percent success rate in eradicating jiggers in Kenya.
According to Kamau, the newly launched resource centre will preserve samples of jiggers for research and educational purposes, offering students, researchers, and the public an opportunity to learn more about jigger eradication and Kenya’s progress in restoring dignity to affected communities.
