Principal Secretary for Social Security and Protection, Joseph Motari has assured the government’s intention to formulate policies that will improve the livelihoods of the person’s living with disabilities in Kenya.
Speaking during a celebration of the International Wheelchair Day at Kehancha in Migori County, the PS said that the aim is to make the disabled feel part of the community through diligent service delivery.
“As a department concerned with social security, my work is to work closely with partners to ensure that the disabled get access to the services they need so that we make them feel part of us,” he said.
Motari who gave out 200 wheelchairs said that the move is a positive deviation towards making the vulnerable move with less struggle as it also relieves the caregivers.
He added that the government through the department of Social Security and Protection, is determined to roll out all-terrain wheelchairs.
This, he said will make movement easy for the disabled and that through this, they will access anywhere they would want to visit.
He said that this is a continued multi agency effort to cover all the disabled nationwide and that once mapping is complete, the rollout will begin.
“As we hold this occasion to mark this important day, I wish to say that the government is in the process of mapping all those living with disability so that we roll out a comprehensive distribution program that will ensure that everyone has a wheelchair,” said the PS.
Streamlining Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Program
The PS added that the government has already rolled out cash transfer program that aims to improve the livelihoods of the disabled, through giving out funds.
He said that the program can be accessed through mobile registration which aims to fasten the process as well as reducing the travels to the offices.
Motari said this was in line with the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto that seeks to improve the lot of vulnerable senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
He thanked president William Ruto, noting his efforts to ensure that the disabled also get access to the funds meant to cover the vulnerable.
“We have plans to ensure that the disabled get their funds to help them become economically viable in the society by reducing burden for the caregivers l,” he said.
Migori Among the Counties with more disabled
In his speech, he said that Migori is among the counties with more disabled going by the 2019 census which computed over 378,000 people living with disabilities.
He said that Migori County which had 11,066 people living with disabilities is among those counties where people are less concerned about disability hence the need for sensitization on the need to take care of them.
Assistive Technology Hubs
The PS also noted that the government is set to launch an assistive technology hub which will be key in innovating and promoting assistive devices that will be key in traversing Kenyan different landscapes by the disable.
He said that this will make their mobility less tiresome especially for those who are employed and tasked with various responsibilities in offices.
Frustrations and Neglect
This was after a call by former Migori Woman Member of Parliament,Denita GHATI who complained of the disabled being made to face frustrations by being used as cash projects.
Ghati who also became disabled after a road accident which left her crippled complained that the the disabled have been used by organisations to milk money from donors which end into people’s pockets.
“I have seen organisations using the disabled as a source of income. In most cases, people have used them as a reference point for their own good,” said Ghati.
The Persons with Disabilities Bill
Motari said that once passed, the Person’s Living with Disabilities Bill which is at the Senate level, eill increase the number of the Disabled employed at every sector at any office.
“I want to put it clear that the Bill is now at the Senate and our hopes are high that it will be passed and made a law. It is from this that we hope that most people living with disabilities will get more employment opportunities,”said Motari.
This is a push by legislators which pushes to enact a bill where 5 percent of the employees in every county are employed.
His sentiments were echoed by the former Migori Woman Representative, Denita Ghati who slammed the legislators for taking too long to pass the bill so that the disabled can get a breakthrough.
“I proposed a bill at the Parliament that seeks to absorb more people with disabilities at every government department when I was a legislator. It seems that the Bill has long been kept in the shelves and is not going to see the light of the day any soon,” she said.
The two leaders also asked the County governments to enact such policies in line with the National government’s policies in line with the National Council for Persons living with Disabilities.
“I also wish, to encourage our county governments to trickle down such policies that will see a coordinated efforts to render seamless services to these people including employment,” said Motari.
Denied Rights to associate
The former legislator also said that there are disabled who are kept behind the curtains in some families and not allowed to associate with people freely.
She said that in some homes with people living with disabilities, they are kept in the rooms never to be allowed out, lowering their esteem.
“I have walked cross families with people living with disabilities and it is true that some caregivers hide them to avoid what they refer to as frustrations,” she said.
On the other hand, PS Motari warned that anyone found holding anyone living with disability indoors will meet the full force of the law.
He said they the Kenyan Constitution allows freedom of association and that those living with disabilities are Kenyans.
Sexual Harassment
Motari also put on notice, those who take advantage of the disabled especially ladies and women, to harass them sexually.
He said that everybody is protected under the law and that whoever is found commiting such a crime belongs behind the bar.
He ordered the security teams to ensure that the criminals do not go escort free.
“I want to plead with our security teams led by the county and sub county commissioners that it is their work to ensure that the criminals face the law,” he said.
Out of court case settlement
The PS also faulted the out of court case settlement which he said has been a barrier in access to justice for those whose rights have been violated in one way or the other.
He said that the out if court case settlement has made the criminals move free and interact with people feeling entitled to such heinous acts wherever they feel like.
Photo|Peter Ologi, KTMN
He vowed to ensure that the act comes to an end so that anyone whose rights have been violated access justice, criminals held behind bars to ensure that there is a safe space for the vulnerable in the community.
The occasion was also attended by Migori deputy governor Mahiri Gimunta, Nyatike Parliamentarian Tom Odege among other leaders.
Meza Mwanza 
Treeza Auma 
KTMN Reporter