Persons with Disabilities in Laikipia County have benefitted with tool kits donation from National Fund for The Disabled of Kenya (NPDK) to start businesses to empower themselves economically.
Speaking during the donation’s presentation in Nanyuk, NPDK program officer Amos Okeyo said 27 beneficiaries received the items which ranged from hair saloon kit, welding machine, barber items, knitting machine, sewing machine and farming tool kit. The items were procured at a cost of Sh800, 000.
Mr Okeyo urged the beneficiaries to use the tool kits to generate income for themselves and their families. “We appeal to Persons with Disabilities who have received the tool kits to put them in to good use so that they can be good ambassadors to others who are yet to apply,” said Okeyo.
He further called on the local administrators to monitor homesteads with disabled children and ensure they are taken to school. “We encourage parents with children with disabilities to at least take them to school and not keep them at home doing nothing. Chiefs should join in and prevent hiding of disabled children,” added Okeyo.
Okeyo called on donors to chip in and boost their kitty aimed at ensuring PWDs benefit with tools of trade among other needs like education and mobility devices.
Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli said that Persons with Disabilities (PWD) too can be productive in the society and hence urged them to take advantage of the government available opportunities to better their lives.
Muli said the tool kits will be a major boost to the disabled persons with skills on how to operate them.
Elijah Gatimu, one of the welding machine beneficiaries said that apart from his eggs selling business, he will venture in the Jua kali sector to supplement his income while Elijah Wambui, another beneficiary who received a hair salon tool kit said that his business will thrive and enable her support other persons with disabilities in the area.
However, Wambui appealed to Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu to waive assessment medical fee at the hospitals noting it was a major hindrance for persons with disabilities since they don’t have sustainable income.
Valentine Kiraita, a PWDs representative in Laikipia said that they had applied for the tool kits several years back, and they were thankful for receiving them.
She urged both governments and other well-wishers to help them construct an education hub for PWDs in the county aimed at sharpening their skills.
Kiraita further urged the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure PWDs are not charged when seeking medical assessment services across the country.
By Muturi Mwangi
