Leaders in West Pokot County have called on NGOs dealing with peopled who are living with disabilities to offer programs that will help them earn a living and improve their living standards. Governor Simon Kachapin and West Pokot County assembly Speaker Robert Katina said that those who are abled differently in society need to be empowered for them to improve the economy of the county.
Kachapin called on residents to shun discrimination of people differently abled citing that they are important people in the society.
“We shall prioritize issues of the disabled basing on my manifesto,” he said.
The governor said that the County government has involved PWDS in all matters to ensure they have equal opportunity in the system.
“The county considered many when it came to offering jobs and we will still give more others. They are represented in boards in different sectors including like lands, bursaries, and employment. We have better plans for people living with disabilities in the county and we will always honour their achievements including better performance in athletics, music and other sports as they have done before,” he said.
Speaking in Kapenguria during issuance of supportive equipment to people abled differently in Kapenguria, Kachapin called on other stakeholders to come on board and help them in the area.
“We should all take responsibility and respect the rights of the disabled as stipulated in the constitution. They should be given priority in the society,” said Kachapin.
Mr. Kachapin has warned individuals and Non-Governmental Organizations against exploiting people who are differently abled in the region.
The county boss said the county government will carry out an assessment of NGOs working in the region to determine their impact to the community and their source of funding to ensure they are accountable to their donors.
Speaker Katina said that those who are differently abled in the society need special attention and to be empowered. “We know that disability is not inability,” he said.