A family in Bahati, Nakuru County, was ordered to leave their village after its members were found heavily infested by jiggers.
The family of eight were given the order by the area assistant chief only two months after moving into the village from Solai, 40km away. The administrator allegedly told them that they were portraying the village in bad light as there had never been a jigger infestation in Ngomongo area.
James Macharia, 62, claimed his children could not attend school because they were jigger infested while his wife, Veronicah Wanjiku, had been mentally ill for a long time forcing him to be the caretaker of the family.
“Life has been hard but I have to stand by them regardless of the circumstances,” he said.
“If I do not lock her (Veronicah) in the house, she strays and in some cases we look for her for days,” he added.
According to the community's health workers committee chairman, Mbugua Njau, the family had been living in abject poverty and had accrued a four-month rent arrears of Sh800.
“Public health officers have intervened although the situation is yet to be controlled,” said Mr Njau.
The People Daily reported that the Assistant Chief was unvailable but Dundori Assistant County Commissioner Stephen Makwi denied the claims, affirming that investigations would be undertaken on the matter.
“I heard about the allegations. Investigations are underway to ascertain the truth,” said Mr Makwi.
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