Turkana County Government has announced that approximately 130 learners with disabilities have been earmarked to benefit from the County Government bursary and scholarship funds in the 2024-2025 financial year.
The initiative, aimed at fostering inclusivity and self-reliance among PWDs, was disclosed during an open forum involving county officials, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and the disability community at Lodwar Primary.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Sports and Social Protection Elizabeth Loote emphasized the county’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for PWDs as an empowerment strategy envisioned by Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai.
“Having received concerns from disability groups regarding educational opportunities, we are taking a deliberate move to ensure that up to 130 learners with disabilities benefit from the 2024-2025 bursary and scholarship funds,” CECM Loote said.
Noting that the bursary was designed to assist learners at all levels, CECM Loote clarified that the allocation would target those in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the country.
Noting that Turkana has earned a respectable position in the wheel chair race competitions, the CECM said that the County Government had plans to support their participation in the subsequent race events.
While acknowledging the input of the CECM, Chief Officer for Early Childhood and Social Protection, Moses Korea Etelej said that the county had taken deliberate measures to include contingency costs arising from the disability status of the target learners.
The NCPWD representative Benson Ebei mentioned the ongoing national government efforts to train civil servants on basics of disability inclusion and pending funding for PWDs elections.
The PWDs representative Mary Ataaba voiced several concerns regarding welfare, including the need for regular training, disability certification, budget allocation, employment inclusion, and self-reliance.
Mark Amiyo, Director of Social Protection, Abraham Nakuam, Chairperson of the Council of Elders for PWDs, and various sub-county PWD chairpersons attended.
By Peter Gitonga
