Bedbugs terror in Nakuru town – Weekly Citizen

The county government of Nakuru is working with experts from the private sector to provide a permanent solution to the bedbug and sandfly menace that has afflicted three subcounties, keeping residents awake throughout at night.

The devolved unit’s public health officer Elizabeth Kiptoo said the county has declared total war on bedbugs which have been causing major discomfort in Rhonda, Hilton, Kaptembwa and Mwariki estates within Nakuru Town West county.

The unwelcome visitors have also become household menace in Flamingo, Lake View, Bondeni, Lower Shabaab and Kivumbini residential areas in Nakuru Town East sub-county.

Medical experts indicate that bedbug bites cause infections and damage the skin, leaving victims with itchy skin, darkened patches or spots.

The county public health officer who spoke during a training of public health officers on effective elimination of bedbugs and sand fly menace in Nakuru Town West/East, and Gilgil subcounties said residents of Eburru-Mbaruk ward in Gilgil subcounty were being tormented by the irritating sandfly whose bite causes the protozoan skin disease known as cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Nakuru governor Kinyanjui

Kiptoo stated that 1,700 households in Nakuru Town East subcounty have been mapped for spraying to ensure the bugs do not become unmanageable, while a further 300 homes are targeted for the same in Nakuru Town West subcounty. So far, the devolved unit has sprayed 808 households in Nakuru Town East at a cost of Sh700,000.

On the sandfly threat, the official said 1,200 households would be fumigated in Gilgil subcounty. The sand fly, according to public health chief officer, Samuel King’ori, inhabits the warmer bushes, forests, burrows, caves and even dumpsites. The insect is also found in Utut Forest, Kampi Turkana, Ol-Jorai and Gitare, all within Gilgil constituency.

The public health chief officer explained that the hot weather in Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West subcounties also favours the breeding of the bugs.

Eric Njogu from Green Life Kenya, one of the partners in the venture said the collaboration will bring on board experienced pest control professionals to do the work and to educate the community on how to observe cleanliness and to be safe from infestation.