People with disability in Nyamira have protested being left out of party nominations.
In a statement to journalists on Tuesday, the group said they had been sidelined in getting nomination slots in the county assembly.
One of their representatives, Sangara Maranga, said they are mandated to get slots as persons living with disability but have not been considered for the same.
"Our prayer is to be considered for the slots as described in the Constitution,” Maranga said.
Under the auspices of Nyamira Society for Persons with Disabilities the group said they have on several occasions tried to engage the relevant persons on their issue but in vain.
“As PWDs in the county we feel segregated on various matters, starting from the executive, where we are not considered for positions despite our ability,” they noted.
"We have again been sidelined from getting slots as nominated MCAs, even if there are provisions on the same."
They say currently, there is no representation for persons living with disability in the Nyamira assembly.
This, they say, is unlike in the last assembly where they had one nominated MCA, who represented the group.
The group protested outside the assembly during the swearing-in of MCAs on September 19.
They protested being sidelined yet others had been promised various nominee positions after election.
“We tried to express our concerns on that material day through a peaceful demonstration. However, no one heard us or responded to our concerns. Everything went on as if we were not around,” the group said.
The PWDs also want the legislative arm of the county government to compel the executives to make budgetary provisions to cater for their needs in all the departments in the devolved unit.
Further, they pray that the Nyamira assembly passes a resolution requiring the executives to at least allocate Sh15 million annually for disability mainstreaming programmes.
“Globally, disability just like HIV/AIDS is a cross cutting phenomenon. It affects all sectors including the honorable house and county executive,” Maranga said in the statement.
"Unless discrimination against PWDs is fully addressed in the county, then we will be subjected to more suffering, as if we are never entitled to get shares in the county governments just like other residents."
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
