Leaders have been urged to ensure People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) are accorded opportunities in adherence to National Values and Principles of Governance, as stipulated under the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Kisii County Woman Representative, Doris Aburi, said PLWDs among other special groups, deserved to be treated with human dignity, adding that if empowered they would contribute immensely to socio-economic development of the country.
Distributing devices for PWDs, including wheelchairs and walkers, courtesy of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) kitty, Aburi noted that at least 8,000 people had benefited from the recent past.
The Woman Rep alleged People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) were being discriminated against for appointments to public service, against tenets of Article 10 of the Constitution on Social Justice, Non-discrimination, Equality, and Protection of the marginalized.
“PWDS can also contribute immensely to economic growth, by participating in Agriculture, Education, and Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises,” she said.
Taking issue with land dispossession on widows who were unable to bear sons and disqualification of disabled persons from accessing public service jobs, Aburi condemned superstitions and policies that further stigmatize the marginalized groups in society.
“Imagine the disabled children are rejected, but embraced when they excelled in certain fields after empowerment,” she observed.
One Naomi Nyakeya, a leader of a youth group from Kisii South, cited challenges they faced, including misuse by politicians for their own selfish interests and lack of feeds for their livestock, especially by widows who were dispossessed of their land.
Linet Nyakeriga, applauded NGAAF, for enabling leaders to supply walk-sticks (white canes), for those with sight impairment, saying it eased their mobility, enabling them to be less dependent on relatives, care-givers and others in the society.
By Jane Naitore
