Persons with disabilities in Murang’a get equipment support

Murang’a, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

K.N.A By Bernard Munyao

Some 62 persons with disabilities in Murang’a County have benefited from various equipment, courtesy of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) to better their lives.

The beneficiaries got assistive equipment and trade tools they had applied from the NFDK to enable them improve their living conditions.

Prof. Julia Ojiambo, an NFDK Board of Trustees member said during this year’s annual issuance of equipment, over 3, 000 persons with disabilities will get the equipment they had applied for.

NFDK, she noted, will spend Sh60 million this year to purchase and distribute various equipment and tools to the beneficiaries at their respective counties.

She revealed that the money is shared in even portions to all sub-counties noting that the support cuts across all sectors of disability.

“In Murang’a, 62 persons with disabilities were successful after vetting the applications and today we are giving them the equipment and tools, which we hope will change their lives.

“Trade tools being offered included sewing and welding machines and irrigation equipment among others,” said Ojiambo, when she led the distribution of the equipment at Murang’a County Commissioner’s office on Tuesday.

The trustee board member further said there are those who applied for assistive movement equipment like wheelchairs.

“This year we received more than 10, 000 applications nationally, but after vetting we settled on about 3, 000 the neediest cases. This was due to limitations of finances,” she added.

“Some equipment we are giving can assist the beneficiaries start making money and we want the disabled not to shy away from applying for the support,” she further said.

Prof. Ojiambo also urged the beneficiaries and particularly caregivers of persons with disabilities to use the equipment and tools prudently for the benefit of the disabled.

“Let accrued income from the equipment benefit the disabled. If a beneficiary gives his/ her tools to work with them, ensure income raised gets to the owner of the equipment,” she appealed.

Meanwhile, Ojiambo called for political tolerance saying when there is turmoil the person with disabilities are mostly affected.

“We advocate for peace. Let those with differences use alternative ways to solve the issues instead of resulting in demonstrations. People with disabilities suffer most when there are clashes,” she noted.

Courtesy K.N.A