Snippets into anti-jigger crusader’s life
Mr Stanley Kamau (right), the founder of Ahadi Kenya Trust. In 94 pages, Mr Kamau hits out at enemies of the campaign who have buried their heads in the sand. PHOTO/ISAAC WALE.
What you need to know:
- Mr Kamau is the face behind the anti-jigger campaign in the country.
- In 94 pages, Mr Kamau hits out at enemies of the campaign who have buried their heads in the sand.
- Two Cabinet ministers, (including in his Murang’a County) have actively stopped his activities as they are “politically embarrassing”.
It is hard to figure out whether Mr Stanley Kamau, the founder of Ahadi Kenya Trust, ever does anything else with his life.
Mr Kamau is the face behind the anti-jigger campaign in the country.
The Trust has run away with the tag of the anti-jigger campaign that if anyone ever comes up with better methods or style to beat the small, body destructive creatures, he would only pass as a copy cat.
Mr Kamau’s first book A Jiggered Mind is an espousal of the run-ins he has had with several community and government officials in his campaign.
Although the author is quite guarded on a blow-to-blow reference to those he treats as enemies of his campaign, his experience is a valuable kit for anyone who wants to start community work in Kenya.
In its seventh year, the campaign has faced tremendous resistance from elected leaders, provincial administrators and public health officials.
This tripartite onslaught against exposing communities affected by jiggers is translated as an embarrassing antic by the NGO world.
Bribery to cause violence and intimidation has been the norm in several places, with several events sabotaged by no less than district commissioners, says the book.
Two Cabinet ministers, (including in his Murang’a County) have actively stopped his activities as they are “politically embarrassing”.
In 94 pages, Mr Kamau hits out at enemies of the campaign who have buried their heads in the sand.
Particularly, he lashes at his fellow civil society organisations that have demanded money from him to partner.
Perhaps the only motivation has been the multiple awards for the campaign at the global arena both to the organisation and its ambassador-in-chief, former Miss Kenya Cecilia Mwangi.
The author dissects both real and imaginary myths about jiggers.
Jiggered mind is a symbolic reference to those who are yet to appreciate the extent to which jiggers have affected education and dehumanised societies.
The book provokes a sequel on in-depth anecdotes that can capture the real life of an anti-jigger campaigner.
However, such a sequel should benefit from more professional editing and story-telling skills.
