The Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in Kilifi County have called for their consideration in training and job opportunities alleging that both County and National governments have been sidelining them.
The County Coordinator for the National Council for Persons Living with Disabilities, Mathias Masha said it has been a dream for those with disabilities to also be considered for tender awards in the area.
He took issue with Kilifi County government for having not considered the group for a single tender since devolution came into existence in 2013 despite their appeals.
Speaking during the County Development Implementation Coordination Committee meeting in Kilifi, Masha alleged that some buildings did not have stairs that could be friendly to the disabled persons.
“We have always been sidelined when it comes to job opportunities, training and socialization even though there have been government guidelines demanding that a certain percentage of job opportunities be given to the disabled”, he said.
He called for their consideration for training and jobs at the Kilifi Kenya Utalii College which is nearing completion, claiming that even the disabled should have job opportunities in the hotel industry.
“We can do any work that a normal person does despite out disabilities when given a chance. Disability is not inability”, he said.
It is estimated that there are over 15,000 persons living with disability within Kilifi County but only 5,822 have so far been registered with the national council for persons with disabilities, according to Masha.
He hoped that the forth coming national census scheduled for August 24/25 will provide a concrete and reliable data of the group in the County.
By Harrison Yeri
