‘We are equally fit’ – PWDs Calls Out Ruto’s Gov’t For Sidelining Them
People With Disabilities(PWDs) have criticized both the county and national governments for allegedly discriminatory employment and procurement practices.
Led by North Eastern Kenya PDW chairman Hafid Maalim, they stated that the 5% inclusion of people with disabilities in state appointments is still on paper.
He stated that the situation continues to negatively impact their lives.
Speaking to the press in Garissa, the group stated that having a seat at the decision-making table in both the national and county governments will help them get their issues highlighted and moved forward.
Nairobi is hosting Africa's first-ever Disability Summit!
— UK in Kenya 🇬🇧🇰🇪 (@UKinKenya) September 5, 2024
We’re celebrating our #InclusiveFutures partnership with @Sightsavers, delivering for people with disabilities:
➡️Better school attendance
➡️More job opportunities
➡️Better access to healthcare
➡️Tackling discrimination pic.twitter.com/y81PAgYzDG
Hafid, who has been vocal in advocating for people with disabilities rights, said it was unfortunate that President William Ruto failed to fulfill his 2022 campaign promises of inclusivity and equity.
“The question that we keep asking ourselves is what become of President Ruto’s assurance that his will be an including government? Where are we represented in his administration? We feel completely left out,” Hafid said.
“We had a lot of faith in the Kenya Kwanza administration but our hope of ever being included in government keeps fading each time appointments are made,” he added.
The chairman expressed concern about the continued neglect of PWDs, despite the progress made in the 2010 Constitution, which protects their rights.
“We have been totally sidelined by both the national government and counties, the number of people with disabilities working in North Eastern counties is less than one percent. The situation is the same in the Kenya Kwanza government,” he said.
He cited recent Cabinet Secretaries’ appointments, claiming that people with disabilities were left out.
Only Abdi Dubat of the East African Community was appointed to one of the 52 positions for principal secretaries.
“Among our members, we have individuals who possess the skills, experience and knowledge,” he said.
“Others are entrepreneurs and they need to benefit from the advertised tenders by counties and national governments.”
He stated that the government had not yet implemented the existing laws that give people with disabilities 30% of procurement opportunities.
Hey @ncakenya @Lands_Kenya are accessible buildings for persons with disabilities of any concern to you? How do you feel excluding 15% of the population by violating our constitutional right to freedom of movement?
— Crystal Asige (@CrystalAsige) September 5, 2024
Hundreds of public and private buildings that you authorise for… pic.twitter.com/GL2C6xVSdh
The chairman also emphasized the importance of prioritizing PWD in terms of bursaries to ensure their access to education.
He stated that for a long time, people with disabilities have been discriminated against in both the public and private sectors, leaving them vulnerable.
“This is where our hope lies. We know at some point the President will move to the PSs and just like he did with the CSs, he will bring in new faces. It is our humble appeal that he considers PWDs.”
‘We are equally fit’ – PWDs Calls Out Ruto’s Gov’t For Sidelining Them
