By M, KNA
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called for government’s support through awarding of tenders and job opportunities, which they decried were below five percent against the requirements of the law.
Speaking in Nanyuki town, Laikipia County during a forum organized by Light for the World organisation , they said job and tender opportunities allocated to them, was one percent against the legal requirements of 30 percent.
Light for the world is a local organization, geared towards supporting PWDs in business from the counties of Meru, Kakamega, Kiambu, and Laikipia.
Miriam Wangechi, a mother of a child with autism, said her biggest challenge was striking the balance between her daily livelihood eking chores and caring for her child, a situation that has forced her to concentrate more on caring for her child, against her bread winning ventures.
She is, therefore, calling on the government to introduce strategies to support caregivers through increased business capital and county-level tender allocations, noting that many face heavy responsibilities and struggle, to meet their families’ needs.
“If PWDs could be allocated designated public places to conduct their businesses, it would be easy for them. Also, on exhibitions, government should come in and support, it would be important showcasing our products, as a marketing strategy and tapping customers for sales,” she said.
According to David Ndung’u, Assistant Project Officer at the Light for the World, they had transformed PWDs livelihood, by connecting them with institutions such as schools for tender opportunities.
He revealed that some entrepreneurs who are sourced from the people with disabilities are being trained in sectors such as agriculture, poultry farming, vegetable growing and retail, to enhance their livelihoods.
