The County government of Kakamega is committed to supporting persons living with disabilities, Kakamega governor Fernandez Barasa has said.
He said this during the commemoration of the United Nations’ day for persons with disabilities on Friday an occasion that saw People with Disabilities and the vulnerable in the society receive assistive devices and foodstuffs from the County government.
The United Nations Day for Persons with Disabilities is marked every 3rd day of December but the celebration was postponed due to the untimely death of nominated MCA, Hon Godliver Omondi.
The County boss stated that as a County government, they have made serious commitments to support persons living with disabilities through various imperative initiatives including operationalization of the Kakamega County Disability Committee.
The county government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Council for Persons with Disabilities and has implemented the Kakamega County Persons with Disabilities Act, 2022; which ensures equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in employment and entrepreneurship.
“To this end, we are enforcing the regulations regarding Access to Government Procurement Opportunities, AGPO for the Youth and Persons with Disabilities.” He said
He added that, “we celebrate this day to highlight the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of development.”
“Given the marginalisation that persons with disabilities have suffered over the years, we should use this opportunity to audit our practices as individuals and institutions in appreciating the humanity of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities” Barasa asserted
Barasa issued assistive devices to 100 people living with disabilities in addition to other 300 issued on 27th July this years selected from across the County to enhance their mobility, inclusivity and empowerment.
The governor also highlighted other deliberate measures taken by his government to support persons living with disabilitie which entailed implementing affirmative action in the distribution of bursaries to guarantee support for children living with disabilities or children of parents living with disabilities.
“We are lowering the threshold for qualification of PWDs to secure tenders in the County Government” He said adding that, “We ensure employment of people with disabilities in the county government, We have supported the County Deaf Athletic team up to the National level, We seek and work with partners who have programmes for PWDs to enhance our people’s welfare.”
He said the County government of Kakamega support s Organizations for the Disabled Persons in the County and early identification and intervention in disabilities of children attending Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC).
Other measures include a plan to establish Vocational Training Programmes for learners with disabilities who have attained 18 years; and developing and equiping Resource Centres for Persons with Disabilities in the three regions; North, Central and Southern.
“My administration will endeavor to support care-givers and organizations supporting the welfare of persons with disabilities and as y
our Governor, I also promise to support any initiative by individuals and organizations geared towards transforming the lives of persons with disabilities.
“Through our Finance Act, 2023, my government has waved Disability Assessment Fees. I wish to thank the County Assembly Committee on Social Services, Sports, Youth, Gender and Culture for enacting this law that will now ensure free assessment of Persons with disabilities in hospitals across Kakamega County.” Governor Barasa said
Ends
