The government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of Deaf people and promoting their full participation in society by improving access to public services, education, employment, and other opportunities.
Speaking during International Deaf Awareness Week celebrations at the Uasin Gishu County Headquarters in Eldoret, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights in the Executive Office of the President, called for sustained efforts to ensure the rights of Deaf people are recognised, protected, and upheld.
The celebrations were held under the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
“We celebrate Deaf culture and affirm a simple truth. Rights must be recognised, access must be assured, and inclusion must be felt in everyday life,” Mwaura said.
He called on national and county governments, institutions, and other stakeholders to address barriers that continue to prevent persons with disabilities from accessing essential services, education, employment, and other opportunities.
“The national and county governments will continue working together so that the rights we declare today become opportunities our people can claim tomorrow,” he said.
Mwaura commended the Uasin Gishu County Government for its efforts to promote inclusion, particularly the employment of eight sign language interpreters to facilitate access to public services for Deaf people.
He noted that persons with disabilities account for 2.38 per cent of the county workforce and urged institutions to continue creating an enabling environment for their meaningful participation in employment and public life.
County Executive Committee Member for Education, Vocational Training, Gender, Social Protection, and Culture, Eng. Lucy Ng’endo, reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to strengthening programmes that support persons with disabilities.
Ng’endo said the county would continue expanding access to education, social protection programmes and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Chief Officer for Gender and Social Protection Marion Birgen said communication and accessibility barriers continued to affect Deaf people when seeking government services.
She called for stronger mechanisms to ensure public services respond to the specific needs of persons with disabilities, including accessible communication and appropriate support.
Regina Chumba, the Member of County Assembly representing persons with disabilities, called for greater participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.
Chumba said their views should be taken into account when developing programmes and policies that affect their lives, adding that meaningful participation was essential to achieving inclusion.
The celebrations brought together national and county government officials, elected leaders, disability advocates, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the rights of Deaf people and promote their participation in society.
The stakeholders called for continued collaboration between government agencies, disability organizations, and other partners to improve accessible communication, expand equal opportunities, and strengthen support systems for Deaf people.
By Fredrick Maritim
