Kakamega to prioritize empowerment of PWDs

Kakamega,

Saturday December 16, 2023

KNA by Moses Wekesa

The Kakamega County Government has partnered with the Universal Peace Federation to provide assistive devices to 100 individuals with disabilities.

The devices were issued during an event commemorating International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated on December 3rd annually.

The Universal Peace Federation provided 80 modern tricycles with coolants to enable Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to engage in businesses and earn a living.

While gracing the occasion, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa announced that the county government will also establish a special fund for the caregivers of PWDs for a critical role they play in supporting them.

The county government recently provided over 300 assistive devices to PWDs in Matete, committing to their continuous support and improvement in their lives.

The governor urged them to register companies to benefit from tenders from the county government as he acknowledged that a PWD did a fantastic job of fencing Shibwe Hospital in Shinyalu Sub County.

He also directed the County Executive Committee Member for Health, Bonard Wesonga, to ensure that Medical Assessment fees is waived.

On enhancing their mobility and accessibility, Barasa directed the Chief Officer in charge of public works and infrastructure to ensure that all construction plans of buildings are approved only if they have been designed to be disability friendly.

He emphasized that the county is committed to fully implementing disability-friendly buildings and providing special attention to disabled children and their caregivers in Early Childhood Development Education Centers.

County Disability Committee, according to the governor, will play a big role in ensuring that children with disabilities are included in the allocation of County Bursary funds. 

A representative from the Universal Peace Federation, Elphas Were, who is also the founder of the Kenya Economic Youth Network (KEYNET) based in Butere urged the beneficiaries to utilize the tricycles to do some businesses and earn a living.

Kakamega County Disability Caucus chair, Lucy Mulombi, urged the county governor to fast track economic empowerment for PWDs so that they can have money in their pockets, adding that persons with disabilities are not afraid of being disabled but afraid of lacking funds.

Lucy Chogo, an activist for PWDs, has called on the government to improve the facilities of autism centers in other western regions, specifically in Mumias.

Courtesy; KNA