Leaders told to address the issues affecting PWDs

 

Advisor to Kisumu Governor on issues of Persons with Disabilities Caroline Agwanda addressing PWDs from Kolwa Central Ward during a meeting where leaders were urged to take seriously the issues affecting PWDs-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo

 

December 25, 2021

 

Leaders told to address the issues affecting PWDs

 

LEADERS have been urged to take seriously issues affecting persons with disabilities across the country.

 

Former President of East African law Society James Aggrey Mwamu says issues affecting persons with disabilities have been neglected for a long time without being addressed.

 

Mwamu says the Constitution of Kenya 2010 under Article 54 has provisions on how the persons with disabilities should be treated as well as provisions on access to all places, public transport and information among other provisions.

 

Addressing persons with disabilities from Kolwa Central in Kisumu constituency where he donated food items during this festive season as a sign of sharing, Mwamu said issues of accessing Government Tenders and tax exemptions should be addressed and provisions of law should be adhered to for persons with disabilities.

 

Mwamu who has declared his interest to vie for Kisumu East Parliamentary seat on ODM party during the next year's poll in August says he will ensuring that issues affecting PWDs are addressed.

 

He says there should be no decriminalization of PDWs in any part of the country.

 

Mwamu also urged parents with children with disabilities not to hide but take them to institutions of learning to be equipped with knowledge.

 

“I want to appeal to parents who takes care of children with disabilities to consider taking them to school and learn just like any other child in this country. They should never hide the children and prevent them from going to school,” Mwamu says.

 

Advisor of the Kisumu Governor on issues of PWDs Caroline Agwanda says the county Government of Kisumu is fully committed in ensuring that issues affecting PDWs are addressed.

 

She says already the County Government has rolled out some programs to benefit PWDs in Kisumu County.

 

Agwanda says a number of persons with disabilities have been given revolving funds to help in doing development through having successful businesses.

 

Agwanda adds that the County Government of Kisumu has employed about 200 persons with disabilities, adding that this is a big achievement on issues of equity in terms of employment opportunities.

 

“Article 54{2} states that the state shall ensure the progressive implementation of the principle that at least five percent of the members of the public in elective and appointive bodies are persons with disabilities. This has been achieved at the County Government of Kisumu,” Agwanda says.

 

She says the current Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o is fully committed to ensure that the rights for persons with disabilities are not violated at all, adding  that the Governor wants the full involvement of persons with disabilities in all the county development programs.