By L, KNA
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kajiado County continue to face obstacles in accessing essential government services, leaving them unable to fully benefit from programmes designed for their wellbeing.
Speaking in Kajiado during the International Day of Persons with Disability, National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Director Iman Ali expressed fears that while progress was made in ensuring that at least five percent of employees in organizations were PWDs, the impact of such policies was yet to be felt.
Ali emphasized that deliberate efforts are needed to ensure PWDs access government programmes such as civil registration, Inua Jamii cash transfers, Social Health Authority (SHA) services, and Huduma Centre facilities.
“Despite legal provisions, many PWDs are still not aware of the opportunities available to them. Awareness and inclusion must be deliberate to ensure no one is left behind,” Ali said.
The Director further acknowledged that PWDs contribute significantly to society and urged that the milestones achieved in inclusion be celebrated, even as challenges remain.
Olkeri Ward MCA Stephen Ngatho said PWDs are an integral part of the community and must be deliberately included in all development initiatives.
“People with disabilities are an integral part of our community. Inclusion must be deliberate, and hurdles must be removed to ensure they can access essential services,” he said.
He added that progress can only be achieved through unity and collective action and called for collaborated efforts and reforms to advocate for persons with disability.
NCPWD Chief Executive Officer Dr. Susan Gitau expressed concern over a rising trend of PWDs being exploited in drug trafficking networks, warning that such cases risk painting them as tools of crime rather than as individuals with ambitions and rights.
Disability rights campaigner Zipporah Ntinini urged the government to post trained sign language interpreters in hospitals, police stations, and other public offices to ensure effective communication for the deaf community.
She called for provision of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids to enhance independence and preserve dignity.
According to the World Health Organization, over 188 million people in the African region live with some form of disability. Many continue to face stigma and barriers to education, healthcare, transport, and employment.
Celebrated each year on the 3rd of December, International Day of Persons with disability fosters inclusion as the foundation of sustainable development, social cohesion and human dignity.
This year’s theme of fostering disability- inclusive societies for advancing social progress, aims to eradicate the impact of exclusion that is the major cause of limiting participation, deepening poverty and eroding the well-being of persons with disability.