- The MP noted with concern that most of the disabled persons hail from poor backgrounds and struggle to raise the Sh500 monthly NHIF contribution.
- Koimburi also called on the government to conduct a thorough audit of the cash transfer programme and weed out corrupt officials.
Juja MP George Koimburi wants the government to pay the National Hospital Insurance Fund for all persons with disabilities.
The lawmaker said he will be moving a motion in Parliament to have the state compelled to settle the NHIF payments.
He argues that most of the PWDs have been left out of the crucial programme.
Koimburi spoke after issuing over 100 handicapped Juja residents with mobility devices on Saturday.
The MP noted with concern that most of the disabled persons are from poor backgrounds and struggle to raise the Sh500 monthly NHIF contribution.
“Most of them do not have any source of income and yet they are required to contribute monthly to the fund. It’s high time the state chips in and be settling the payments for all of them,” Koimburi said.
He appealed to the government to also ensure that all PWDs are recognised by the state and issued with the PWDs identity cards, to enable them to benefit from the government’s cash transfer programme.
“There are severe, needy cases, especially in Juja. We need to have these people registered so that they can be accessing monthly stipends,” he said.
Koimburi also called on the government to thoroughly audit the cash transfer programme and weed out corrupt officials who are enriching themselves at the expense of the poor persons with disabilities.
He said the programme has been infiltrated by unscrupulous individuals who have been pocketing money meant for the disabled.
These cartels are the reason behind most financial woes facing handicapped persons.
“A though scrutiny is needed to weed out these characters and ensure that they face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Our brothers and sisters who are abled differently have so many needs that require a lot of finances.
"It’s such a shame for some individuals to sit somewhere and start stomaching the very money needed to cater for their needs,” Koimburi added.
The MP also appealed to parents across the country not to hide their physically and mentally handicapped children.
He said the government and NGOs are up to the task and ready to help the disabled with mobility devices, as well as counselling.
The beneficiaries, led by Paul Kinyanjui, echoed the MP’s sentiments, appealing to the government to take stern action against individuals pilfering cash meant for them.
“The government releases money in good faith but before it reaches us, it passes through the hands of some corrupt officials," Kinyanjui said.
"This matter should be looked into seriously because most of us here are struggling to make ends meet and we mostly depend on the stipends.”
Elizabeth Wanjira, another beneficiary, appealed to the government to consider increasing the funds to cushion them from the harsh effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)