The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation has been challenged to step up the war against bed bugs in Igembe South Constituency in Meru County.
Area residents said many people are at the risk of being infested with bed bugs.
Mike Mutembei, the patron of the Meru Youth Network, an NGO involved with the promotion of the rights of the physically disabled, said that close to 10 000 people had been affected by the bed bug menace in the region.
Mutembei noted that the ministry should work towards the elimination of the menace in Igembe South and Igembe Central constituencies where the problem was acute.
“The ministry should also come up with a program to educate people on what bed bugs are and ways of managing and eradicating them,” Mutembei said.
He was speaking at Kabuitu village at an anti - bedbug clinic where more than 100 households were sprayed to rid them of the pests.
“Many of the residents are afraid of talking about it because they believe it is an embarrassment. There has been a misconception and lack of understanding about the bed bugs which is still igniting stigma in this area,” he said.
He urged other corporates to join in the anti bed bug campaign just like they had done during the eradication of jiggers campaign in Central Kenya.
Business people in the area have also reported losses following the bed bug menace.
Lodge owners in the area said they were making losses after guests complained about the pests.
According to Stanley Mwendia, the problem should be solved to bring development ahead of the county governments.
“We have tried to eliminate the pests but to no avail and the relevant ministry should come up with a plan to help all the people affected to ensure that the area and the whole county at large benefits,” he said.
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