By Urban Shihemi, December 20,2025

Direct Aid Kenya is holding a five-day eye medical camp in Kakamega County, offering critical eye care services to hundreds of residents and restoring sight to many who had lived with untreated visual impairments for years.

The camp, which began on Wednesday, 17th and is expected to end on Sunday, 21st, has drawn more than 700 patients from across Kakamega County and neighboring regions.

Medical assessments revealed that over 300 patients were suffering from serious eye conditions, including cataracts and glaucoma, with many requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Speaking to Jamia TV, the lead doctor overseeing the exercise commended the medical team for their professionalism and commitment, describing the operation as smooth and highly impactful.

He noted that the overwhelming turnout highlighted a significant gap in access to specialized eye care within the region.

Dr. Justus Maula called on Direct Aid to expand its support in Kakamega and surrounding counties, urging greater focus on vulnerable populations who are unable to afford specialized eye treatment.

Representing Direct Aid Kenya, Sheikh Hajj Ali expressed satisfaction with both the public response and the progress made during the camp.

“We had initially planned to conduct about 300 surgeries, but Alhamdulillah, the response has been encouraging. So far, over 300 patients have already been booked and are expected to undergo surgery depending on their medical conditions,” he said.

Dr. Phoebe Waswa, a consultant ophthalmologist in Kakamega County, assured patients and the public that stringent safety protocols were observed throughout the camp. She emphasized that thorough patient screening, strict hygiene standards, and comprehensive post-operative care were key priorities to ensure successful outcomes.

The camp also witnessed emotional scenes from beneficiaries whose lives were transformed by the initiative. One middle-aged woman suffering from diabetes-related eye complications recounted how her deteriorating vision had severely disrupted her daily life.

“Before the surgery, I could barely see,” she said. “Now I can see clearly again. This has completely changed my life.”

She expressed deep gratitude to Direct Aid Kenya and the medical team, describing the experience as life-changing and saying she was happier than ever.

Dr. Waswa also used the opportunity to raise awareness about common risk factors associated with eye diseases. She identified diabetes, high blood pressure, aging, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and poor nutrition or vitamin deficiencies as major contributors to visual impairment.

She urged residents to prioritize regular eye check-ups and seek medical attention early to prevent avoidable blindness.

The Kakamega eye camp marks another milestone in Direct Aid Kenya’s humanitarian work, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and transforming lives in underserved communities across the country.