Residents of Nyamira County are set to benefit from free eye screening and treatment in a countywide medical campaign targeting underserved communities.
The campaign, organized by the Morara Apiemi Foundation in partnership with the Douglas Orutwa Onkeo Foundation and Light and Hope Initiative, kicked off on Monday at Orwaki Resource Centre in North Mugirango.
Residents turned up in large numbers to access free eye services at various centres.
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The exercise is aimed at detecting eye conditions early and providing beneficiaries with eyeglasses and other necessary treatment.
Residents requiring specialized medical attention will also be supported to access further care.
Speaking during the exercise, Philemon Morara Apiemi said the medical camps were being taken to different parts of the county to make eye services more accessible to residents.
“We have organized these free medical camps throughout the county to ensure that underprivileged residents receive eye medical services near their homes,” Apiemi said.
Similar exercises were also conducted at Nyabara Ibere Shopping Centre, Our Lady of Mercy Ibara Catholic Church and Miruka Catholic Church.
The campaign has also reached Kea, Omobiro and Magwagwa in North Mugirango.
Apiemi said the initiative was targeting thousands of residents experiencing eye problems, particularly in West Mugirango.
“I am targeting 5,000 people with eye problems here in West Mugirango from the four centres,” he said.
The next phase of the campaign is scheduled for Gianchore, Bumburia, Kegogi, Ikonge, Igena Itambe and Rianyagemi. The final round will cover Mokomoni, Nyaramba, Manga and Mekenene.
Apiemi, who is eyeing the Nyamira senatorial seat in the 2027 elections, said he would establish an eye clinic in every ward across the county if elected.
He also accused the county government of mismanaging public funds, attributing what he described as poor accountability to inadequate oversight by the current senator.
“Counties are working and some are doing wonderful development projects, but what is lacking is transparency and accountability because we lack proper oversight from those we elected to do that,” he said.
Apiemi further criticized the practice of voters accepting handouts from politicians, arguing that it was undermining development and making it difficult for residents to scrutinize the sources of candidates’ wealth.
“We vote for people who give us money without knowing where the money has come from, the source of their wealth and the kind of work they have been doing,” he said.
He urged residents to carefully examine candidates and make informed choices ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that voter bribery would continue to hinder development.
Apiemi said Nyamira also needed greater investment to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for young people.
He called on leaders to work together to address challenges affecting residents and find lasting solutions to the county’s administrative problems.
“As leaders, we need to sit down, have serious talks about the issues affecting the people of Nyamira and unite to help them,” he said. “We have administrative challenges which need urgent attention.”
He also called for greater public participation in monitoring county affairs, saying residents were the primary beneficiaries of government services.
“I am ready to serve the people of Nyamira if given a chance, but we need to elect leaders with integrity who will serve the people,” Apiemi said.
