Nandi County government in partnership with a development partner Wheels for Kenya has donated assistive devices worth Sh 20 million to Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
The assistive devices which include 130 wheelchairs, 30 walkers, 10 walking canes and 30 crutches are meant to assist the disabled persons to be self-reliant and participate actively and productively in community life.
Speaking during the event at Kapsabet Bible College, Nandi County Executive Member for Tourism, Culture and Social Welfare Wilson Tai said the devices will enable the disabled individuals to live a productive, independent and dignified life
“We are targeting to give out assistive devices to about 200 people across the six sub-counties. Without assistive technology, PWDs are often excluded, isolated and locked into poverty,” he said.
Tai called upon persons with disabilities who are not registered under social welfare to come out in large numbers and register so that proper resources are accorded to them.
“We are appealing to care givers and parents who are living with people abled differently to kindly come out and reach to us so that they can be assessed and issued out with necessary devices to ease their movement,” he said.
Tai noted that last year with the same development partner, they managed to give out about 150 devices worth Sh 15 million.
According to records, Nandi County has an estimated number of 20,000 PWDs.
Speaking at the same event, Chief Officer in charge of Tourism Beatrice Chemurgor stated that as a department it’s their mandate to support and care for the vulnerable and PWDs to enable them live a dignified life like normal people.
“Reaching out to people with disabilities has been one of the agenda of the county government of Nandi that’s why we want to ensure all people living with disabilities are recognized and registered,” she said.
Bishop Hudson Bande of the Kings Ambassador Christian ministries International who also works with Wheels for Kenya urged PWDs in the county to grab the opportunity and come out to register so that they can get the necessary devices which he noted are free of charge.
“Our passion is serving the needy and PWDs in the society. We have some parents who hide their children but it’s time to expose them so that they can be assisted,” he said.
Last year, the County government of Nandi set aside Sh 20 million for the construction of an Empowerment center for PWDs at Chemundu grounds in Emgwen Sub County.
The center once complete is aimed at promoting disabled people financially, emotionally, spiritually as well as empowering their care givers with skills for financial independence.
By Linet Wafula
