15 million Kenyans at risk of blindness, Kenya Society for the Blind warns

*President William Ruto's Security Advisor Monica Juma and Rerec CEO Rose Mkalama engaging a patient who was treated during the eye clinic. [PHOTO: RERE]*

Kenya Society for the Blind Chairman Samson Waweru has raised the alarm over the fact that 15 million Kenyans are at risk of going blind.

Speaking during a free eye clinic in Nuu Village, Mwingi Central Constituency, Waweru said that about 13 million cases can be corrected and urged Kenyans to seek medical examinations to save the situation.

“Many of these cases are treatable if the affected can get urgent care and quality healthcare needed. That is why we need more of these eye clinics across the country,” he said.

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The three-day medical camp was organised by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation in collaboration with the Kenya Society for the Blind, and benefited over 870 residents.

*Kenya Society for the Blind Chairman Samson Waweru engaging other officials during the eye clinic. [PHOTO: REREC]*

The eye clinic session was graced by President William Ruto’s advisor on security matters, Ambassador Monica Juma.

“I want to urge the people of this Nuu Village and Kenyans at large to register en masse for the Universal Health Coverage programme being spearheaded by the Social Health Authority to benefit from government services,” she said.

*Patients who were treated during the eye clinic organised by REREC and the Kenya Society for the Blind. [PHOTO: REREC[*

REREC CEO Dr. Rose Mkalama said that the corporation was not only keen on connecting residents to electricity, but also found it fit to assist in restoring sight to those who were blind so that they can benefit from the power.

“This is part of the many initiatives we are doing as REREC to better the lives of Kenyans. We will continue to put more efforts and resources into ensuring that needy Kenyans get help to make their lives better,” she said.

Among those who had their eyesight restored was Bernard Nzuki, a former Kenya Forest Service warden who had been blind for the last nine years.

Nzuki, who was accompanied by his wife Kamene Bernard, said that they had undergone untold suffering since they are elderly, and she had to shoulder the burden of taking care of the family.

*A patient is being treated during the eye clinic. [PHOTO: REREC]*

The eye clinic was sponsored by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation in collaboration with the Kenya Society for the Blind.

Many of the cases cited in Nuu were cataracts, glaucoma, and allergic conjunctivitis.

REREC General Manager of Information, Education and Communication, Beatrice Njuguna, said that this is the second eye clinic that the organisation has participated in, saying that it will hold many others in the coming days under the corporate social responsibility programme.