There were only seven Persons With Disabilities (PWDS) who were elected during the 2022 general elections.
This is according to Siasa Place, who did an analysis of the outcome of the elections.
They revealed this in a report on the effects of Gender-Based Violence on women's political participation.
"In the 2022 general elections, 600 persons with disability vied for various elective positions, but only seven were successful," they said.
From the findings, they said, the political scene is hostile to PWDs and given that campaigns are expensive to run, most of them get to Parliament and the county assembly through nominations.
They said that even though there are nomination seats for PWDs, the nominations are reserved as a reward for party loyalists and political elites who fund the party’s presidential campaigns.
"Godliver Omondi, a physically challenged woman, was nominated to the Senate in 2013 to represent PWDs," they explained.
In 2017, she vied for the MCA position in Kholera ward, Kakamega County and won the seat against six opponents.
Omondi told Siasa Place that for one to be nominated or elected, loyalty to the party and participation in its activities are critical.
"If you are a PWD, movement and finances can be a constraint, hence the need to support the Party from positions within your reach," she said.
During the campaigns, she added, mobility is a challenge and yet one is expected to reach people everywhere.
"Politicians conduct campaigns at night by using boda bodas or walking. But as a woman with a disability, I had to use a car and a wheelchair, both of which left me exposed and vulnerable," she said.
The constitution provides for proportional representation using party lists to ensure the inclusion of women, youth, the marginalised and other Special Interest Groups in the nomination lists.
