More than eight thousand physically challenged people in West Pokot County are in dire need of help to improve their livelihood, social life and development. According to Rehab Mission Organization Coordinator Mr. Tom Mulati, more than 45% of disabled children in the County have not accessed education according to the recent survey of special needs education done by World Vision, Rehab Mission Organization and Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) after sampling five wards. “Many drop out of school due to lacking wheelchairs,” he said.
He said the organization is now engrossed in sensitization and advocacy on disability after getting a grant of one million shillings from the National Council for Persons Living with Disability. “Many who are disabled come from poor families and need to get food,” he said.
Speaking at the County headquarters in Kapenguria on Monday while disbursing foodstuffs, wheelchairs, drugs and blankets for the disabled courtesy of the Lions club, West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo who emphasized the need to approach disability from a human rights perspective, called on wellwishers, nongovernmental organizations and other donors to intervene and help to integrate them into society.
“As the County, in conjunction with the national government, we are paying schools fees for the physically challenged. We have that lame, blind, those with hearing impairment and epilepsy,” said Lonyangapuo.
He said that the County government has plans to set up a school for the physically challenged children in the County for them to access education. “We thank the Lions Club of Kenya North Rift branch and Rehab mission for the support,” he said.
Mulati warned residents in the County against hiding those who are abled differently, saying that many of them are not allowed to be seen in public because of cultural traditions. “We urge residents to report any cases of children with disabilities hidden by their families,” he said.
County Disability officer Mr. Partrick Limakou called on the County and National governments to give priority to the physically challenged persons by giving them contracts, tenders and jobs. “We need to ensure that their children are helped by paying school fees for them. We have given out 2 million shillings to build Nasokol model school and construct water boreholes,” he said.
Rehab Mission Chairlady Ann Tekoo Chepurai said that the disabled are faced with many problems, “The government should help the elderly and those who are illiterate.”