Some 465 people with disabilities in the Eastern Region and institutions helping them have received equipment and cash worth Sh15.2 million from the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya.
The Fund’s Chairperson, Dr Christina Kenyatta-Pratt, kicked off the exercise in Embu by donating sewing kits, farming tools, mobility devices and salon equipment to individuals and cash grants to institutions that support persons with disabilities.
Some of the recipients who had asked to be assisted with livestock, such as cows and dairy goats, will be assisted to identify suitable animals.
Ms Kenyatta-Pratt thanked the national government for continuing to boost the funds through Treasury allocations, saying the money they have been receiving since the 2009/10 financial year had enabled the fund to give cash grants that institutions used to build dorms, accommodation blocks and classrooms.
The Chair, who was accompanied by Vice Chair Peter Nyakiamo, Fund CEO George Wachira and Trustees Anne Mugambi and Dr Mike Kiswili, said their mandate is to uplift the lives of those with disabilities and ensure they live dignified lives.
Eastern Deputy Regional Commissioner, Keffa Marube, urged those given donations and grants to use them prudently so that they uplift their living standards.
He urged them not to fall into the temptation of drinking excessively, saying excessive drinking had ruined the lives of many men aged 15 to 45 in the region.
Marube further urged the region’s citizens to join the war against illicit brews by providing information to government agencies.
During the ceremony held at Eastern Regional Headquarters, 29-year-old Patrick Njiru, who received a welding kit donation three years ago, said the donation enabled him to set up a business that has since grown to employ three other people.
By Steve Gatheru
