The County Government of Kakamega has procured assistive devices worth Sh15 million to support persons with disabilities in the region.
The Chief Officer for Social Services, Children Services, Gender and Culture, Christine Kimungui, said the assistive devices will be distributed during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebrations on 3rd December.
Kimungui said the county has also set aside Sh11 million in the 2025/2026 financial year to purchase more assistive devices and an additional Sh2.5 million through the recurrent budget to support empowerment activities like sports for persons with disabilities.
The Chief Officer, who spoke to KNA noted that the county government carried out a census in 2023, which indicated that the county has over 20,000 people with disabilities and assured those affected that they will be empowered to live dignified lives.
She disclosed that three weeks ago, the county government distributed over 100 mattresses and 360 blankets to 12 institutions that cater for children with disabilities in the county.
“As we speak, we are finalising preparations to issue business grants to groups in the county. Groups for people with disabilities are among those that will benefit from the Sh50,000 grant per group,” she said.
Kimungui said the county will consider two groups of persons with disabilities per ward to benefit from the grants to boost their businesses and improve their lives.
She urged the PWDs to always apply for job opportunities and tenders when they are advertised by both the national and county governments.
“Of the 30 per cent government procurement opportunities reserved for special interest groups through the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme, we have reserved 5 per cent for people with disabilities to ensure they are empowered,” she explained.
“As we speak, partners are coming on board, whom we are working with to ensure that issues to do with disabilities are catered for.
When the issue to do with taxation was raised, I informed the governor who immediately directed that any person with disabilities who is doing business in Kakamega should not be taxed unless their income is over Sh150,000,” Kimungui added.
By Moses Wekesa
