Nyeri Woman Representative, Rahab Mukami, has urged the county government of Nyeri to waive all taxes and levies charged on persons with disabilities (PWDs) in line with the provisions of the 2022 Nyeri Disability Act.
According to Mukami, it is unfair to subject the already vulnerable population to the long and tedious vetting process before issuing a tax and levy waiver certificate.
She argued that the main purpose of the exemptions was to offer relief to the PWDs adding that the vetting procedure that takes months undermines the support it is supposed to offer.
According to the Regulations of 2022 Nyeri Disability Act, the Nyeri County Government has the authority to waive various county fees and charges for PWDs, including single business permits and market fees.
But to benefit from the waiver, the individual must be registered with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). The beneficiary must also formally apply for the exemption.
“I am urging the Nyeri county government to set the example by becoming the first county to fully implement the provisions of the Nyeri Disability Act so that we can empower the PWDs and they are able to continue with their lives. Remember most of them are parents and if we do that, they will be able to engage in economic activities and fend for their children,” said Mukami.
The Woman Representative spoke at the PCEA Muhito church in Mukurwe-ini on Wednesday afternoon during celebrations to mark International Day for PWDs. She donated more than 20 wheelchairs, mattresses and blankets for children with cerebral palsy and the elderly PWDs. She also donated food items and charcoal jikos for the PWD community in Mukuwre-ini.
During the event, the PWD community in the county called for stronger government support in the implementation of disability-related laws in line with this year’s theme fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.
They said that even though they appreciate the current efforts being made to support them to lead a meaningful life, many other critical needs still remain unaddressed.
They said that whereas the Nyeri county and National government had enacted laws to support them, they remain largely unimplemented because beneficiaries are rarely consulted.
“We already have the Nyeri Disability Act of 2022 and the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 that need to be implemented. We would like to be accorded the opportunity to voice our demands or even be consulted on what needs need to be prioritized. We don’t want people to make decisions on our behalf and without consulting with us,” said John Kabatha, a member of the Nyeri Disability Network.
Kabatha also urged the county and national governments to diversify their assistance to address the different and evolving needs of the PWD community. He noted instances where support for PWDs is duplicated or targeting one form of disability.
“I would like to thank the county government for helping us access assistive devices like the wheelchairs, white canes and many others. But we still need items like diapers for children with cerebral palsy and special wheelchairs for these children,” stated Kabatha.
He further called for the restructuring of all government budgets supporting special interest groups to ensure they are inclusive and gender sensitive.
Kabatha noted that most of the current empowerment initiatives tended to only focus on women with disabilities, warning that such disparities are contributing to mental health issues among the men.
“Empowerment should not just focus on empowering women with disability but should also be inclusive of men living with disability because they are also vulnerable. Our prayer is that when these budgets are being formulated let them be gender sensitive so that both men and women with disabilities benefit, and we will avoid a situation where we are witnessing a crisis between the male and the female PWDs,” he said.
Anthony Njagi a visually impaired teacher called on the NCPWD to follow up on compliance with provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 requiring at least 5 per cent representation of PWDs in the public service. Njagi said that despite being qualified, many PWDs continue to be overlooked in employment and promotion.
“There is a provision in the law which now compels the national and county governments as well as private sector employers to set aside at least 5 per cent of the job opportunities for PWDs. However, when it comes to promotions most PWDs don’t get promoted and even when they are considered the number is usually smaller than their counterparts without disabilities. If they employ 5 per cent PWD let them also ensure the 5 per cent is also promoted. We are the minority and we should be given what belongs to us,” said Njagi.
By Wangari Mwangi and Samuel Maina
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Nyeri Woman Representative, Rahab Mukami (in blue reflector jacket) joins Persons with Disabilities for a walk in Mukurwe-ini town on December 3, 2025 during the during celebrations to mark international day for Persons with Disabilities. Mukami has urged the county government of Nyeri to waive all taxes and levies charged on Persons with Disabilities in line with the provisions of the 2022 Nyeri Disability Act.
