A Kitui official has called for thorough investigations into the increasing cases of rape and femicide in the county.
County CEC for culture, gender and social services Phoebe Mutemi asked security agencies to intensify the hunt for perpetrators of the heinous crimes and ensure they are brought to justice.
“Criminals are also taking advantage of the vulnerability of Persons Living with Disabilities by subjecting them to sexual abuse. This must be brought to a stop, and those responsible must face the full force of the law,” Mutemi said.
She spoke on Tuesday while presiding over the launch of a three-day exercise to distribute mobility devices to 300 persons with disabilities drawn from across the county at the Kitui Agricultural Training Centre.
The assistive devices were custom-made for each beneficiary following assessment, measurement, and fitting to ensure they met individual needs.
The executive announced that the county government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hope Mobility Kenya to support People Living with Disabilities in Kitui.
The needs-based programme ensures that beneficiaries get wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, walking frames, walking canes, and other mobility aids tailored to their specific conditions.
“These devices are not just tools of mobility; they are gateways to independence as a person freely moves around to access healthcare services, attend school, conduct business, and actively participate in community life,” she said.
Mutemi added people with disabilities will also receive psychosocial support to enhance their integration into society and ensure they do not feel excluded or marginalised.
“We have also been supporting them to start income-generating businesses so that they can support themselves and their families,” she said.
Hope Mobility Kenya founder, Michael Panther, said each donated device was carefully assessed, fitted, and issued to guarantee comfort, safety, and functionality.
“Our work is about restoring freedom. A properly fitted wheelchair or tricycle can transform a person's life by increasing their mobility and boosting their confidence."
Panther observed that caregivers were among the biggest beneficiaries of the programme.
“With reliable mobility aids, caregivers are able to participate more actively in economic activities, social engagements, and even attend church services with greater ease,” he noted.
He said reducing the physical burden of caregiving allows caregivers more time for farming, running small businesses, and engaging in community activities, while enabling persons with disabilities to gain greater independence.
Also present at the event were acting chief officer for culture, gender and social services Esther Mutemi, and Hope Mobility Kenya director Jack Muthui.
