By Cheki Abuje
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Alupe will conduct scientific research on the jigger menace in Busia County to ascertain why it had remained resistant even after hygiene solutions have been found.
KEMRI chairperson Dr Lilian Apadet said the institution will invest Sh224m set aside for the research to unravel the mystery behind jigger recurrence in Busia County.
“The research will take six months. It will also help us establish whether the potassium permanganate used in treating jigger victims have any side effects,” she said.
Dr Apadet was speaking in Busia county during the jigger treatment by Mary Emase Foundation. It was sponsored by 
, and Busia County Government.
Ahadi Kenya CEO Stanley Kamau welcomed KEMRI’s proposal saying no scientific research had been done ever on jigger menace in the country that results in jigger victim’s mental retardation.
However, Kamau whose organization also donated pairs of shoes and sleepers to the jigger victims said the main cause of jigger menace in the country said poverty was the main cause of the scourge.
He asked families jigger victims who turned up for treatment to form a self-help group to enable him avail starting capital for agricultural or livestock business they will opt to start.
However, Judy ”Asere” Ojaamong appealed to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to add second mobile clinic to Busia County.
” With seven sub counties one mobile clinic is not enough, thus my humble appeal to the First Lady through the Ahadi Kenya CEO to avail Busia County second mobile clinic,” she said.
The Mary Emase Foundation was behind the medical camp and promoting education, health and is a compliment to the County Government services delivery.
The foundation through the founder Mary Emase, a Member of National parliament urged families in her constituency to uphold cleanliness, adding that the County Government should intensify its surveillance and supervision of all public and private health institutions and ensure professional set standards are met.
