Over 400 children in five terror-prone villages in Lamu yet to get polio vaccination
Some of the people fleeing from their homes in Milimani and Mangai villages in Lamu in fear of attacks by Al-Shabaab. Over 400 children from five villages in Lamu did not receive polio vaccination as health workers could not reach them due to security fears. FILE PHOTO | ATHMAN OMAR | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Over 400 children from the region could not receive the vaccination after the first round of the vaccination kicked off early August due to insecurity.
- Mr Tole said the situation was due to insecurity caused mainly by the Al-Shabaab terror threats in the region and constant invasions by terrorists in the said villages.
- Locals requested the government to come up with plans of evacuating the children to safer zones and have them receive the vaccination.
- MCA Mohamed Delo said the region might plunge into a polio crisis if quick measures are not taken to have the children vaccinated within the required time frame.
People living in Al-Shabaab-prone areas of Milimani, Basuba, Mangai, Mararani and Kiangwe in Lamu East wants the government to intervene to ensure their children receive polio vaccination.
Over 400 children from the region could not receive the vaccination after the first round of the vaccination kicked off early August due to insecurity.
Speaking to Nation.co.ke in Lamu on Sunday, County Health Director, Mr Victor Tole confirmed that children from the five villages were yet to be vaccinated since social workers conducting the polio vaccination could not reach them due to the on and off insecurity threats.
“We conducted the polio vaccination exercise. So far I can confirm that children from most areas of Lamu have been vaccinated.
“The places that are yet to be covered include Basuba, Milimani, Mangai, Mararani and Kiangwe.
“Social workers who were carrying out the polio vaccination were reluctant to venture into the areas since they are renowned insecurity and terror hotspots in the county.
“Even our vehicles are not allowed on the Milimani-Kiunga road since the area is currently under heavy security operation. We will however carry out the exercise once our security is guaranteed,” said Mr Tole.
AL-SHABAAB THREATS
Mr Tole said the situation was due to insecurity caused mainly by the Al-Shabaab terror threats in the region and constant invasions by terrorists in the said villages.
Commenting on the same, Basuba Ward Representative Mr Mohamed Delo expressed his concerns saying the region might plunge into a polio crisis if quick measures are not taken to have the children vaccinated within the required time frame.
“Basuba residents like any other Kenyan have a right to receive the vaccine.
“The government needs to ensure children receive the polio vaccination. Whether or not there is insecurity, these children didn’t ask for all that,” said Mr Delo.
Some of the locals who spoke to Nation.co.ke on Sunday expressed their concern on the matter and requested the government to come up with plans of evacuating the children to safer zones and have them receive the vaccination.
“We want to see the government treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. We all know what polio can do. There are many options.
“If it is hard for officers to visit our region, then let the government come up with arrangements such as evacuating our children to other places to get the polio jab,” said Mrs Mariam Halako.
