Persons with Disability (PWD) have specific needs that should be addressed to enable them carry out their daily activities as a way of enhancing societal inclusivity.
Consequently, in order to promote inclusivity, the government has rolled out various programmes to enhance their welfare by implementing various interventions ranging from tax reliefs to being allocated five percent of jobs in the public service.
Speaking during the Kakamega County Disability Dialogue Forum, area County Commissioner Meru Mwangi called on government officials to involve people with disabilities in all matters to help them achieve their full potential as equal participants in society.
Mwangi called for a gender-sensitive approach to help integrate PWD into community planning and development.
Speaking during the 20th anniversary celebration of disability inclusion in Kenya held at Daisy Special School in Kakamega town, the county commissioner urged relevant stakeholders to step up efforts aimed at uplifting the wellbeing of PWD’s.
Speaking at the forum about the milestones and strides in disability inclusion, the County Disability Service Officer Priscah Akoth said Kakamega County has a registered database of over 47,000 PWD.
“Nowadays, persons with disabilities are self-registering themselves on e-Citizen and receiving disability registration certificates immediately,” she added.
Akoth said the government, through the Ministry of Health, has developed guidelines for conducting assessment and categorizing disabilities in the country.
She said the government has also gone a long way in providing access to educational institutions and facilities, empowerment through provision of assistive devices, use of sign language, braille and other appropriate means of communication as well as the implementation of the principle of five percent of appointive positions to PWD.
The Kakamega County Chief Officer in-charge of risk management and service delivery Dr. Phitalis Masakhwe said the county has taken several steps to mainstream disability in the county, including the passing of the Kakamega County Persons with Disability Act 2022.
He said this Act was passed to give effect to Article 54 of the Kenya Constitution and to mainstream the rights of PWDs.
Dr. Masakhwe challenged the disabled to come out and seize opportunities being provided by the county government by bidding for tenders.
This year’s theme was celebrating 20 years of diversity and inclusion in Kenya; Stories of triumphs and overcoming barriers.
By George Kaiga
