Fifty Kajiado county enforcement officers are currently attending a five-day workshop on how to handle persons living with disability in the line of duty.
The law enforcement sensitisation workshop is conducted by Orione Community Training Centre at Ongata Rongai in collaboration with the Embassy of Chile and Strathmore University Law Clinic.
The training is aimed at raising awareness among law enforcement officers on the rights of people living with mental disabilities.
The participants are drawn from the National Police Service, DCI, Kenya Wildlife Services, Kajiado county government and the local community leaders. The workshop ends on Friday.
Chile ambassador to Kenya, Alejandra Guerra, reiterated her government's commitment to improving the lives of people living with disabilities through partnerships with local organisations.
"Chile has a foreign policy on many social issues. People living with disabilities have human rights which have to be respected. Police officers have the first mandate to protect their rights because they are vulnerable," said Guerra.
Faculty director at Strathmore University Law Clinic, Patrick Nzomo said the workshop will equip law enforcement officers with knowledge on the legal rights of PWDs.
"We have laws on the rights of people living with disabilities, but there is a challenge in implementation. We want to train the law enforcement officers and identify possible gaps to champion legal reforms," Nzomo said.
Orione Community Training Centre director, Father Alejandro Ruiz called for the inclusion and equal treatment of persons living with disabilities.
"The government, legislative bodies and other authorities must promote training for those working in the administration of justice, including the police," Father Ruiz said.
"We recognise the diversity of persons living with disability by ensuring knowledge, promotion and protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms."
Isinya deputy subcounty police commander, Regina Mbithi, said the law the sensitisation workshop would equip police officers with knowledge that is critical in knowing how to interact with PWDs.
