Appoint Our Members to Govt, PWDs Demand from Ruto
The Assoctaion for Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) and organizations for persons with Disabilities (OPDs) working with the Consortium of Disabled Persons Organizations in Kenya (CDPOK) are appealing to President William Ruto to include one of their own in government appointments as he cobbles together his government.
Addressing the media Wednesday, the organizations led by CDPOK Executive Director Joseph Atela, APDK’s Head of National Programs Benson Kiptum and APDK’s Belinda Oduor say that it was unfortunate that President Ruto omitted persons with disability in the just named list of proposed Cabinet Secretaries terming the omission as a retrogression on the disability inclusion agenda which he held dear during the campaign period.
‘The disability leadership wish to congratulate President Dr William Ruto for winning the August elections. It is our hope that your government will lead in inclusion of persons with disability as cited in UDA’s disability charter developed during the campaign period,’ they said.
They asked that the government needs to ensure actual implementation of Article 54(2) that provides for a minimum of 5% representation of persons with disability in both appointive and elective positions, for example Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, CASs, County Executive Committee Members, Ambassadors, Commissioners, Parastatal Boards, CEOs and many others.
The organizations also demand that the government fastrack the disability survey being championed by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics as that will ensure that Kenya has credible disability data which can inform service provision.
‘We also ask that the government ensures PEDs are enrolled in Comprehensive health cover in the NHIF. This includes access to assistive devices and technologies, sunscreen lotions, therapy services, counselling and rehabilation services,’ they added.
They further asked that the government should increase funding capitation for leaners with disabilities and employment of learners’ support assistants.
Further, the organizations asked the government to prioritize public transport system that is accessible to PWDs for instance pick up and drop off points, audio visual traffic lights and accessible foot bridges at the right points and also prioritize repealing the PWDs Act in the legislation agenda.
On matters nominations of PWDs to County Assemblies, the organizations decried that 22 County Assemblies did not have any of PWDs nominated a move they said was detrimental.
‘Comparing the IEBC gazetted list of nominees and party nomination list we observed some inconsistencies and oversights that could have served to jeopardize nomination chances of persons with disabilities. We have so far filed a petition in court in this regard,’ Atela said.
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