Jigger threat is real, Parliament told

About four per cent of the Kenyan population is afflicted with jiggers, a situation officials say is spurred by poverty. Public Health Assistant Minister James Gesami told Parliament on Tuesday that the ministry disbursed Sh10 million to fight jiggers in the last financial year and announced a similar amount has been released this year.

Although there is low-level jigger infestation in most parts of Kenya, Gesami disclosed the pests are most common in Murang’a, Nyeri, Kwale, Malindi, Kericho, Narok, Emuhaya, Meru and Kakamega.Garsen MP Danson Mungatana said his constituency and the lower stretch of Tana Delta District are also afflicted as Gesami disclosed poverty, lack of water and other basic amenities made it difficult to control jiggers.

"We need to address the social determinants," Gesami said, adding that studies have linked the pests with decrepit housing and improper personal hygiene due to lack of access to water.