By IP Reporter
BUNGOMA, Kenya (Sept. 8, 2025) —
Hundreds of Bungoma residents are getting a new lease on life and a clearer view of it—thanks to a free eye camp spearheaded by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli in partnership with the Lions Club International.
The “Together for Brighter Tomorrows” Free Eye Cataract & Eye Camp has screened more than 300 cataract cases since rolling out across the county this month.
The initiative provides eye checkups, referrals, and treatment support at no cost, targeting communities where access to specialized care is scarce.
“Vision is empowerment. No one should be held back by blindness that can be treated,” Wakoli said at one of the camp centers.
The effort is part of his #WaksNaKazi program, focused on service to humanity.
The Bigger Picture
Kenya faces a silent epidemic of preventable blindness.
Studies show about 0.7% of rural residents are blind and another 2.5% live with severe visual impairment.
Cataracts alone account for 38% of all blindness in the country.
Among children, uncorrected refractive errors—conditions easily solved with glasses—make up more than half of vision problems.
Experts warn that vision loss does more than limit sight.
It leads to lost income, dependence on others, mental health struggles, and exclusion from education and community life.
Lions Club Legacy
The Lions Club has a long history in sight conservation. Founded in 1917 in Chicago, the service organization was challenged by Helen Keller in 1925 to become “knights of the blind.”
Today, it has 1.4 million members in nearly 50,000 clubs worldwide.
Eye health remains at the core of its work, alongside projects in diabetes, the environment, youth leadership and disaster relief.
By teaming up with Sen. Wakoli, Lions are localizing their mission to restore sight and dignity in Bungoma.
Why It Matters for Bungoma
In Bungoma, primary health workers are able to diagnose cataracts and infections but often lack resources to manage conditions like presbyopia and complex eye diseases.
Many patients delay treatment due to cost or distance, leading to permanent vision loss.
For residents who line up at the mobile clinics, the benefits are immediate:
Farmers can return to their fields.
Children can read and stay in school.
Elders regain independence and mobility.
“This is about giving people back their lives,” Wakoli said.
5 Things to Know About Lions Club & Eye Health
1. Lions’ Global Mission
Founded in 1917, Lions Clubs International has 1.4 million members in nearly 50,000 clubs worldwide. Its core mission: We Serve — with sight conservation at the heart since Helen Keller’s 1925 challenge.
2. Why Eyes Matter
Over 80% of blindness in Kenya is preventable or curable. Cataracts alone cause nearly 4 in 10 cases of blindness. Glasses and simple surgeries could restore sight for millions.
3. Bungoma’s Burden
Rural Kenya sees 0.7% blindness and 2.5% severe visual impairment. In Bungoma, health workers detect cataracts well, but gaps remain in managing presbyopia and other age-related eye problems.
4. Children at Risk
About 2.4% of Kenyan schoolchildren have visual impairment, mainly from uncorrected refractive errors. Many drop out or struggle academically because they simply can’t see the board.
5. The Wakoli Factor
Sen. David Wakoli’s #WaksNaKazi program with Lions Club is offering free cataract screenings and treatment — giving Bungoma residents a clearer view of life and a brighter tomorrow.
The Lions-Wakoli eye camp is more than a medical drive—it’s a fight against avoidable blindness and a step toward healthier, more inclusive communities in Bungoma.
