People living with disabilities in Bungoma County have accused the Bungoma govt. leadership for discriminating against them.
The disabled blamed their woes to politicians whom they have accused for making false and empty promises, threatening to send them home as the state is headed towards the 2017 elections .
The disabled drawn from various constituencies pointed accusing finger to politicians for neglecting their plight having used them as stepping stones to power vowing to send them packing in the coming polls .
The squad led by Ester Nasambu Simiyu of Khalaba ward, lamented that since December last year when they held a fundraising drive to support themselves in Bungoma post grounds, several Bungoma big wings who pledged to support them went underground till this time.
Nasambu called upon their Country Chairman Adrian Sakwa to come in open and declare the pledges from governor Kenneth Lusaka, Women representative Reginalda Wanyonyi and special group representative Martin Pepela Wanyonyi.
“Let us know if you eat the money from governor Lusaka, Dr Reginald and nominated MCA Martin Wanyonyi, since they promised to send us money totaling to almost 700,000 and it is now May and we have not received the money.” Said the agitated Nasambu.
Nasambu said it was a pity and ridiculous for sitting leaders to make pledges that go unfulfilled, stating that they will be judged by their actions.
She said the disabled banked their hopes on the pledges that have never materialized.
In a quick rejoinder, Bungoma County chairman for disabled Adrian Sakwa echoed their sentiments stating crystal clear that he has not received a single cent for the above mentioned leaders.
Sakwa noted that governor Lusaka in a function sometimes back in Sirisia assured the disabled that his government will ensure they get his pledged amount as soon as possible, retaliating that up to now the County president has remained mum and speaks no more about his promise .
The chairman pointed out that the nominated MCA representing special groups in Bungoma county assembly Martin Wanyonyi has not submitted the Ksh. 50,000, a donation from the Kenya National Council for people living with disabilities as he had promised during the fundraising drive in Bungoma Town apart from his own Ksh. 50,000.
Sakwa also said he has not received any communication or amount from the Bungoma County women representative Dr. Reginalda Wanyonyi.
The chairman warned the trio against using the disabled for public relations saying the disabled will not vote for them next year noting that they have been taken for granted for long and it will be time to disown such leaders who have taken advantage of them.
“It will never be business as usual, we are going to vote them out, leaders should lean to honor their promises and desist using the disabled to gain political say,” he cautioned.
He appealed to them to do the honorable thing and honor their promise with immediate effect to avoid provoking the wrath of the disabled.
Sakwa also challenged them to come out of their political cocoons and address the plight of the disabled saying they also have the same right to be treated with respect.