PWDs in Kisumu now rally behind Kigame
By Geoffrey Kasera
PWDs in Kisumu now rally behind Kigame
People with disabilities (PWDs) in
Kisumu County have expressed their concerns towards the former presidential
candidate Rueben Kigame who was dismissed from vying for presidential seat in
2022 general elections by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries commission
(IEBC).
The PWDs have condemned the act in which Reuben was treated by the IEBC for allegedly not allowing him to contest on the basis that he was disable an act they said was inhumane and underscored the abilities of the People with disability.
They are of the view that they should also be given a chance to lead as they can produce the best leaders in the country.
This comes just less than 2 years to 2027 general elections as they fear they may be treated the same way Kigame was treated in 2022 by the IEBC as many of the are eying the political seats come 2027 general elections.
They warned the IEBC and the people in authority not to repeat the same mistake again as they also have the powers to lead like the Normal people and can make the best leadership.
Addressing the media in Kisumu, the PWDs noted that disability is
not inability as they counted a number of countries that have been led by the
persons with disability in the past
years like the United States of America and Indonesia in the 1960s and 1930s
respectively.
Led by Wyckliffe Omondi Oloo ,a registered disabled person in Kisumu, they said they stand together as people with disability to show solidarity in matters to do with leadership and ability of a person with disability in the country.
Oloo highlights that the people with
disabilities many a times people think cannot be good leaders and are left
behind in leadership involvement.
He mentions but a few examples of
PWDs who have clinch to power and led with integrity including the president of
Indonesia in 1960 Dora who was totally blind but changed the economy of the
country during his tenure.
He maintains that the constitution of
Kenya 2010 allows every person to vie for any political leadership.
"Fellow Kenyans,we the people
living with disability, we request that we may be given an opportunity to lead
this nation," he says .
He acknowledges the work of Westlands
Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi and applauded his service to his constituents
despite being disabled.
Joseph Osumba a teacher with visual
impairment who has served for several years further remarked that leadership is
God given and He gives every person an opportunity to lead.
Joseph notes that Kigame should not
be undermined because of him being disabled but should be given an opportunity
to lead as he has the powers to lead.
“People with visual impairment need
opportunity not sympathy and discrimination of any kind should be a thing of
the past," Joseph says.
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