Persons Living with Disability (PLWDs) in Kericho County, have been urged to vote wisely for the right leaders in the forthcoming August 9 General Elections in a bid to secure bright futures.
Speaking to KNA in Litein town, yesterday, Uraia Trust Civic Educator in Kericho County, Paul Byegon, underscored the need for persons with disability in the County, to take part in the electoral process, if their voices are to be heard.
“Persons Living with Disability should exercise their democratic right by participating in the forthcoming elections, just like other able bodied Kenyans, to vote in this year’s General Election and elect leaders who have their interests and needs at heart,” said Byegon.
Byegon who is physically challenged cautioned PLWDs against electing leaders who failed to champion for their needs and interests, as this was key for them to be self-reliant and lead productive lives.
“I urge my colleagues to cast their votes on aspirants who have their interests and needs at heart and they ought to know that this is their democratic right as spelt in the constitution and it is important that they seek to vote,” said Byegon.
He revealed in the last months, party primaries witnessed in the County, six PLWDs run for elective positions but failed to secure any slots, but was hopeful that they will be represented in the next County Administration.
“Those living with disability also have a right to be involved in the leadership of this Country and no one should undermine us, we are equally able despite us living with various forms of disability,” stated Byegon.
“We have not lost all hope, following our six colleagues failing to win in any of the elective posts during the just concluded party primaries in the County, but we pray that in the next County Administration, we shall be included to represent the interests and needs of our special group,” added Byegon.
The civic educator implored the aspiring candidates to avoid anything that could provoke conflict, but exercise decorum and sell their development agenda to the electorate during the electioneering period and desist from inciting their supporters to violence.
“The disabled need to exercise their democratic right in deciding who to choose to represent their agenda in both the National and County governments and cannot do so if campaign rallies are chaotic. So political aspirants ought to consider the needs of disabled persons, as they too deserve to exercise their democratic right,” said Byegon.
By Sarah Njagi
