Persons Living with Disability in Narok County have agreed to bury their differences and instead embrace oneness to boost their livelihood.
The group led by their representative in the county government Jackson Tanyaak observed that their numerous differences were denying them their rights including getting tenders from the county government, and representation in the county assembly among others.
Tanyaak challenged the group to unite and have a clear structure for raising their issues to the relevant authorities so that they could easily get results.
“We need to sit together and agree on our issues which will be forwarded to the authority by our representatives. Currently, we have no clear representation as everyone advocates for his or her interests,” he said.
Among the things they agreed upon is to withdraw a court case that was filed by their Chairman Jimmy Luka, where he accused the county assembly of not allocating bursary to Persons living with disability.
The group observed that their chairman rushed to court without consulting them and requested him to withdraw the case as they sought consultation with Governor Patrick Ntutu on the issue.
Mr. Luka, who had filed the case in a Nakuru court agreed to withdraw the case promising to consult with the group before taking any move that concerns the special group in the future.
“I filed the case in court because I felt the rights of the persons living with disability were ignored by the county assembly. However, I have listened to the people and I have agreed to withdraw the case as we seek consultation with the governor,” he said.
Violet Sikawa, a former Member of the County Assembly representing persons living with a disability said the county had passed a Disability Act 2017 but was not actioned as there was no clear follow-up thereafter.
“If we agree to unite and walk as a group, it will be possible to push for the implementation of the Act. The document contains all issues that affect us,” she said.
The over 100 PLWD met in a Narok hotel on Tuesday where they held a long day closed-door meeting.
By Ann Salaton
