The Trans Nzoia County government in collaboration with the Union of people living with disabilities in Trans Nzoia has put in place plans to ensure the construction of buildings takes into considerations the plight of people living with disabilities. Speaking to the media at the ACK Church grounds in Kitale, the coordinator for persons living with disabilities in Trans Nzoia County Metrine Wamalwa said some buildings in the County constructed in the past didn’t consider the people living with disabilities, thus, making it hard for them to move and access several services in different offices. She urged the County government to consider that aspect whenever constructing buildings.
She, however, lashed out at the County assembly of Trans Nzoia for failing to present Bills which address the challenges people living with disabilities face, including access to better healthcare and education. She said those abled differently have had serious issues when it comes to fighting for their rights in society, citing the awarding of tenders as an example. “There is nothing to celebrate from the County government of Trans Nzoia, it’s been sidelining the disabled in various issues including employment, tenders and education. We call upon all stakeholders to intervene in this,” she said.
She further urged parents not to hide their children who are abled differently, as this infringes on their rights. Her sentiments were echoed by Obado Wekesa, who is ACK official representing the disabled in the County. He said ACK has partnered with well wishers with a view of aiding those who are abled differently, especially the deaf, to ensure they access better education, engage in business and also get spiritual nourishment.
He said the church has partnered with the Kitale National Polytechnic in
provision of education necessary for them and called upon the community to embrace all disabled children. He also said they are engaged in agricultural training to ensure they are better equipped with agriculture knowledge and are self reliant in future.
Obado said despite them engaging in educational facilities they also
engage in farming a training that helps the challenged better their
knowledge in agriculture as way of making them self reliant in future
and avoid begging. On his part, the Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang said the government together with the County government will work in unison to see that all the challenges facing the disabled are solved.