ALBINOS have asked Parliament to create laws that will protect them. The Albinism Society of Kenya said they are Kenyans and not objects to be smuggled and sold by people performing rituals to acquire wealth.
The society took a petition to the offices of the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy President, the President and later to Parliament.
ASK said they want the governments to protect them from being kidnapped. “We have faced discrimination for years, our situation is now more dangerous. We are being killed for our body parts by witchdoctors who wrongfully believe we can be used to create wealth. We have lodged complaints to police
but they
ignore us and often release those who wrong us,” society leader and nominated MP Isaac Mwaura said.
Mwaura said the government has failed to provide sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and other protective clothing to protect them from the sun as many of them cannot afford to buy the items.
ASK member Martin Wanyonyi said the Disability Act does not recognise them making it difficult for the government to cater for their interests. “We want parliament to develop a law for albinos that will allow us to participate in the socioeconomic and political development of our country,” Wanyonyi said.
He said new law will help end discrimination and stigma against them. “It will help raise awareness about our existence and make Kenyans stop calling us derogatory names,” he said.
The organisation called for a decree by the President and Deputy President denouncing their marginalisation and warning that the full force of law will be taken against those who commit atrocities against albinos.
ASK also wants the state to open an albinism cancer research and resource centre. Albinism is a genetic condition that results in the lack of pigment in apersons’ hair, skin and eyes.