Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Kericho have lauded the county government leadership for nominating one of their own to the County Executive Assembly.
This follows a peaceful demonstration held in September this year by PWDs urging Kericho Governor to intervene about a gazetted United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination list of 17 nominees to the County Assembly that left out the special group despite assurances of giving them nomination slots.
Geoffrey Bett who is physically challenged has been nominated to the Information Communication and E-government, Gender, Youth Affairs and Sports docket in the Kericho County Executive Assembly as the Chief Officer (CO).
Speaking to the press at a Kericho hotel over the weekend, Kericho PWDs Chairman Julius Langat commended Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai for recommending one of their own to take on the position of CO County Executive Committee member, a move he termed as positive and an indicator that their voices will now be heard.
“We want to thank our governor for instilling a positive energy in members of PWDs not only in Kericho but across the world. We want to congratulate Governor Dr. Eric Mutai for nominating one of our members to be a chief officer in his administration. We know moving forward, the name Geoffrey Bett will now proceed to the Assembly to represent us in the Executive,” said Langat.
Echoing similar sentiments, a member of the PWDs group Beatrice Langat lauded Governor Mutai for making history in the leadership of Kericho County for nominating a disabled person to serve as a member of the County Executive Committee.
“For the first time in Kericho since devolution started, PWDs have now a position in the County Executive. It is a great honour to us for PWDs to be in the County Executive of Kericho and we are proud of the leadership of Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai because he has lived to his promise,” said Ms. Langat.
She added that PWDs in the region had trust in Bett since he is very innovative and was also capable of representing the interests of the vulnerable special group.
“Mr. Bett is equally able to be in the Information Communication and E-government, Gender, Youth Affairs and Sports docket in the Kericho County Executive as he has our needs and interest at heart and will aim to see that disabled persons become self-reliant and lead productive lives. ICT is yet to be integrated and he is the right man to see to it that PWDs benefit too from ICT skills. He will articulate gender issues among the disabled more so the girl child who is living with disabilities,” added Ms. Langat.
Ms. Langat implored Members of the County Assembly to pass the nominated disabled member as the CO in the County Executive Member for Information Communication and E-government (ICT), Gender, Youth Affairs and Sports docket as he was equally able to deliver despite living with a disability.
By Sarah Njagi
