Chief threatens to evict family infested with jiggers

A family in Nakuru’s Ngomongo village is living in fear after the area chief allegedly threatened to evict it over jiggers infestation.

The family of 62-year-old James Macharia Mbugua claims that the Assistant Chief has given it a notice to vacate the area saying that it (the family) casts a bad image for the area that has not reported any case of jigger infestation over years.

Out of his six children aged between 5 and 14 years, only one attends school and the rest cannot due to the magnitude of jiggers infestation.

The Dundori Divisional Community Health Workers Committee Chairman Mbugua Njau and his co-chair Muchiri Mburu Mathu, and who are neighbors of the Mbugua’s, say the family has been living in abject poverty since it relocated from Solai area of Subukia.

The two, however, said that public health officers had intervened and done some medication although the situation is yet to be controlled.

However, Macharia is forced to lock his wife, Veronicah Wanjiku, who suffers a mental condition in the house so as to monitor her movements.

In cases where she is not locked in the house, someone has to monitor her closely as she can stray. At one point, the family had to look for her for two days after she disappeared into the neighbouring village.

Macharia and his family have suffered immense rejection by Ngomomgo resident just two months after relocating from Solai.

As the family’s sole provider, Macharia works as a casual labourer in order to pay rent and maintain his family.

On a good day, he takes home Ksh 200.

Meanwhile, Dundori assistant County Commissioner Stephen Makwi has dismissed the allegations that the family risks eviction over jiggers infestation and denied reports that the family has been given a notice to leave.

He said that investigations are underway and if true, the accused Assistant Chief will be subjected to disciplinary action.