Over 1.8 million children affected by jiggers, Matiang’i says

180,000 pupils drop out of school every year due to jigger infestation and over 1.8 million pupils are affected in the country, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has announced.

The CS expressed his concern over the rising incidences of jigger infestation in the country, adding that it is shameful that Kenya is still grappling with this challenge.

“It is a shame to see such large number of children leave school because of jiggers,” Matiang’i said.

Promising to take action, Matiang’i ordered education directors to compile statistics of affected children countrywide so as to deal with the menace.

Ahadi Kenya Director Kamau Maina took issue with the government stating the country’s leadership was working on lofty ambitions while school children were struggling with the basics.

“Kenyans are suffering a lot and what they need now is basic needs to keep them in school. The government is not being realistic to give laptops to children who are infested with jiggers,” Maina stated.

Over the past week, Ahadi Kenya foundation treated more than 500 pupils infested with jiggers in Bumula Constituency Bungoma County.

The menace has seen non-governmental organizations launch campaigns to donate shoes to pupils across the country in order to eradicate the parasitic infestation.

Jiggers, or chigoe fleas, are sand fleas found in Sub-Saharan climates that burrow into the skin and lay eggs.

They cause swelling, itching and infection which can lead to amputation and even death in the worst cases.

In 2015 the government admitted that between 1.5 to 2 million Kenyans were suffering from jigger infestation.