With the rising number of people living with disability due to various causes, at least 3,000 such people have turned out for assessment and registration, in an exercise conducted at the JM Kariuki Memorial and Referral Hospital.
The activity is being spearheaded by the Council for People with Disability of Kenya (CPWDK) for persons from Ol-Joro Orok and Ol-Kalou Constituencies.
According to organizers, the exercise involves registration upon assessment of PWDs in order to enable them to easily get access to the government’s Cash transfers among other needs including acquiring assistive devices, certification, medical support and other diverse needs of these vulnerable groups.
Nyandarua County Chief Officer for Health Mr. Julius Ngambi and PWDS coordinator Evelyn Gathieri noted that there are many people with disabilities who have never been registered and hence could not be able to access crucial services and other privileges.
Oftentimes, the officials noted that there are essential roles of social protection systems required in meeting the multifaceted needs of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, from identification to financing.
They said that often, family members become the primary source of support, leading to challenges in choice and autonomy for persons with disabilities and potential caregiver.
They said that the assessment and registration will guide stakeholders, especially the government, in developing gender-responsive programs that provide support services to persons with disabilities and their families.
By Antony Mwangi
