Persons with disability in Nyamira have commended efforts made by the National and County Government to ensure they reach out to meet their diverse needs thus nurture inclusivity.
During a disability dialogue in Nyamira to mark 20 years since the establishment of the Department of National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) as a state cooperation in November 2004 persons with disability said their needs have not been fully met.
However, they acknowledged that the community is gradually treating them fairly courtesy of advocacy and outreach programmes spearheaded by government and other non-government partners and stakeholders of goodwill.
Mr. Enock Omwando, a person with visual impairment says that when they are in various public forums, they are given recognition and they are listened to by leaders unlike in the past when they could only be left unrecognized or just left at home and could not be given opportunities to air their views.
“Government has initiated several programs specifically designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, a clear sign that they are committed to giving them a good platform where they can discuss matters affecting them and give views on development,” Omwando said.
Esther Moraa, a person with hearing impairment said the government is really trying but fighting stigma from within themselves and from outside is a real challenge which is still affecting persons with disability.
Mr. Fred Obuya the County Coordinator for National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) said that government has insisted on disability mainstreaming in all aspects of governance which has given persons with disability an opportunity to be part of the governance system, be educated, receive bursary, access opportunity for contracts and ensure that there are specific job opportunities where they can also be assigned employed and work.
“I appreciate the County Government of Nyamira for establishing the disability ACT 2023 which has enabled them to make regulations on programs designed to meet the needs of persons with disability in the county to enable them to be recognized in all aspects of leadership, governance and development,” he noted.
He said they will continue to provide up to date data on the status of persons with disability in the county to guide in planning and policy formulation so that the needs of the people with disability are met and they can also have a sense of belonging in the society.
The theme for marking 20 years of existence of the National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) was celebrating ‘20 years of diversity and inclusion in Kenya” where they tell stories of triumph and overcoming barriers.
By Deborah Bochere