Leaders representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kiambu Constituency have called for greater inclusion of PWD officials in the management of the 2027 General Election.
The proposal was raised during a stakeholder forum convened by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kiambu Town.
The meeting brought together women leaders, disability representatives, and voter registration officials and was in line with the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
Mr Francis Mbugua, who represents PWDs at the Kiambu Constituency CDF office, said increasing the number of election officials drawn from the disability community would enhance confidence and ease communication at polling centers.
“Persons with disabilities often feel more comfortable approaching fellow PWDs officers when seeking assistance,” he said. He added that challenges related to mobility, visual, and hearing impairments also need to be addressed conclusively.
Participants also proposed the deployment of sign language interpreters at polling stations, particularly in areas where persons with hearing disabilities have been identified.
In her response, Registration Officer for Kiambu Constituency, Ms Beatrice Muli, said the recommendation would be forwarded to the Commission for consideration, adding that mapping voters with specific needs could inform future planning.
Ms Muli also said the Electoral body encourages PWDs to apply whenever staffing vacancies are advertised, terming IEBC an equal opportunity employer. She however expressed concern that no PWD within Kiambu Constituency had applied for roles in the current voter registration exercise.
In response, Mr Mbugua said psychological and social barriers may have discouraged would-be PWDs applicants. “Many PWDs feel disadvantaged even before they apply, largely due to psychological reasons and longstanding societal perceptions. This creates self-doubt about whether they would be considered fairly,” he said.
Muli said she would escalate the matter to the Commission for further discussion, adding that the concerns raised could inform internal consultations and possibly contribute to a framework that would strengthen the representation of PWDs within election management teams.
The rights of persons with disabilities to participate in political processes is anchored in Article 54 of the Constitution of Kenya, which requires the State to progressively ensure that at least five per cent of members in elective and appointive bodies are persons with disabilities.
Section 29 of the Persons with Disabilities Act further obligates the government to guarantee their participation in political and public life, including access to voting procedures and facilities. Assisted voting is also provided for under the Elections Act.
by Rose Muthoni
