The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner(RC), Mwongo Chimwanga has issued a stern warning to local residents who have been misusing disabled Tanzanian nationals to beg in the streets of Nakuru for their own selfish interests.
Mwongo said the government would deport such people once caught and at the same time take legal action against Kenyans involved in the practice.
He noted that there has been an influx of beggars on the streets of Nakuru and it has been established that some of them were not Kenyans.
The RC said that Kenya has put in place mechanisms to empower disabled with a view to making them self reliant and so the government would not allow individuals to take advantage of them.
Mwongo spoke at his Nakuru office grounds on Tuesday during the launch of Rift Valley Region Donations Programme by the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK).
The Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Herman Shambi said that at least 28 Tanzanians have so far been apprehended and repatriated.
Shambi added that a Kenyan who was behind the racket is currently serving a jail term for the offense and commended Judiciary for working together with the security agencies to deter offenders.
The RC urged disabled persons to register with NFDK whereby they will obtain a card that will enable them get services faster. The card will also help them get job opportunities and full salaries devoid of taxation.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Donations Department of NFDK, Prof. Julia Ojiambo thanked the government for the continued support of the annual event currently in its 39th year of operation.
The NFDK was allocated 100 million in the 2019/2020 Budget read by the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich to fund its operations.
Prof. Ojiambo added that NFDK had already started issuing out cheques to enable disabled parents and students to meet some basic needs.
During the event, equipment and cheques worth Sh. 8 million were given out. Among the equipment distributed, included those used infarming, plumbing, shoe making, radio repair, carpentry, and salon. Some beneficiaries also got car battery chargers.
By Samuel Njoroge