The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) has appealed to county governments, development partners and well-wishers to join hands in supporting institutions that care for persons with disabilities, saying limited funding has left many deserving projects unsupported.
Speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of a new girls’ dormitory at Muriranjas Rehabilitation Centre in Murang’a County, the Chairman of the NFDK Board of Trustees, Prof. Francis Kibera, said the fund receives overwhelming requests for financial assistance but can only support a small fraction due to budget constraints.
Kibera said the fund receives more than 250 applications annually from institutions serving persons with disabilities, most seeking funding for major infrastructure projects such as dormitories, classrooms, dining halls, kitchens and vocational training workshops.
“Because of limited resources, we are only able to support about 60 institutions every financial year,” he noted.
He added that the fund also receives more than 10,000 applications annually from individual persons with disabilities seeking assistive devices and tools for income-generating activities, but only about 2,500 beneficiaries receive support each year.
Under its flagship infrastructure programme, the NFDK provides grants of up to Sh3 million for the construction and equipping of essential facilities, while smaller grants of up to Sh. 300,000 are offered for infrastructure improvement and income-generating projects in institutions.
The fund also supports individuals by providing assistive devices, mobility equipment and tools of trade, besides promoting advocacy for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Kibera said the organization which was established in 1980 remains committed to advancing disability inclusion in line with the country’s development agenda but emphasized that stronger partnerships are needed to reach more beneficiaries.
“We will continue strengthening partnerships with county governments, institutions, development partners and other disability stakeholders to ensure that no one is left behind,” added Kibera.
He noted that the newly commissioned dormitory at Muriranjas Rehabilitation Centre will provide a safer and more conducive living environment for female learners, improving their learning, rehabilitation and overall well-being.
“As we officially hand over this dormitory, let it serve as a symbol of hope, inclusion and opportunity for learners with disabilities,” remarked the chairman.
Kibera revealed that the fund is also commissioning similar projects in other counties, including three classrooms at Muiri Primary School in Nyandarua County, three classrooms at Lkurroto Primary School in Samburu County and two classrooms at Muchatha Primary School in Kiambu County.
Muriranjas Rehabilitation Centre Deputy Manager Johnson Njoroge welcomed the new facility, saying it will help address the institution’s acute shortage of accommodation for female learners.
He said the centre has 102 learners, about 90 per cent of whom are persons with disabilities, and appealed for additional support to establish an ICT centre and acquire more equipment for vocational and artisan training.
Area Chief Mathew Miako urged parents of children with disabilities to enroll them in specialized learning institutions where they can access education, rehabilitation and life skills, instead of hiding them at home.
by Bernard Munyao
