Persons with Disabilities in Kakamega have asked the government and other stakeholders to give them opportunities to be in leadership positions in different sectors.
Speaking during an event to commemorate the World Disability Day at Daisy Special School, Kakamega, (the day’s celebration was rescheduled for 18th December for the county although the International celebrations are normally marked on 3rd December worldwide), the PWDs said they are best suited to represent and advocate for their welfare if one of them is at the decision-making and planning table.
The chairperson of Kakamega County Disability Caucus Lucy Mulombi said they have been unable to participate in development of the country and improve their lives because of lack of proper representation in leadership positions where plans and decisions are made.
“When we miss at the planning table, we also miss in development issues, so today the message we give to our communities is that people with disabilities should be given the opportunity in leadership whether it is in committees in the markets, schools, hospitals and many others,” she noted.
The Secretary General of Kakamega County Disability Caucus Catherine Shiundu who is also a member at the Kakamega County Disability Committee said a research the Caucus conducted together with the International Centre for Reproductive Health(ICRH) revealed that most health facilities in the county are not disability friendly making it difficult for persons with disabilities to access reproductive health services.
She noted that most of the hospitals lack disability-friendly beds and disability-friendly toilets among other essential services that are friendly to them.
She said the problem needs to be addressed as she urged the government to fully implement Taifa care to cushion PWDs from challenges of access to healthcare services.
She urged the government to continue with civic education on health insurance in the grassroots and among PWDs who have been affected due to transition from NHIF.
“People were used to NHIF and when it was removed the transition was not smooth enough, the transition has had so many gaps. The government should address those gaps and continue to do enough civic education to the residents so that they know how Taifa care works,” she added.
Pascal Sumba a member of the Kakamega County Disability Caucus from Mumias East asked the government to provide a conducive market space that is friendly to persons with disabilities where they can conduct their businesses without disruptions.
He said that Light for the World organization has trained most of them in doing businesses and are now ready to trade and earn a living but they fear that they may still face harassment from county enforcement officers.
By Moses Wekesa
