Population of disability rises in the County

Kirinyaga County Deputy Governor Wachira Githanda presents an assortment of goodies to a child living with Albinism during the Valentine Day for PWDs in the county courtesy of Governor Anne Waiguru

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has joined this year’s Valentine Day celebrations for  People living with Disabilities in the County , even as their number rises to over 12,000.

She said her Administration was committed in promoting diversity , equity and inclusivity and ensuring no part of the society was left behind in realisation of the County’s  social economic goals .

In a speech read to the PWDs by her Deputy  Wachira Githanda during the celebrations held at Kamiigua Youth Polytechnic admitted some  of this category of Kenyans had been disproportionally excluded  in many areas while her administration was making every effort to incorporate as many of them as possible in” our various social –economic  empowerment programs “.

“ In order  to have an accurate data to guide our planning and resource allocation for projects and  programs for PWDs we have been carrying out our assessment and registration for them. So far over 12,000 such PWDs have been registered .”  she said in her speech .

Added the governor “ Am also appealing to those who are yet to be assessed   to visit our Kerugoya Referral hospital  for this   purpose  and also look out for our outreach assessment  programs like the one we  are carrying out  today ,”

And in order  to effectively cater for the needs of the rising population of PWDs  there is urgent need to put up a multipurpose rehabilitation center in the county to reduce  the suffering this group faces while seeking for the service outside the area .

According to a nominated area MCA Njoki Mitaru ,those registered stand at 12,000 plus though there were many more others yet to be entered into the data.

Mitaru who lives with walking  disability  herself said  the county had only one special  school for those with hearing  challenges while  those  who fall in the  other  categories have to seek services outside Kirinyaga .

“Those with  sight disability have to be taken all the way to the Joy town school in Thika making their caregivers strive hard to get them enrolled there , hence the urgent need to have our own  such modern  institution which our people can access with ease ,”she said.

Kirinyaga County Deputy Governor Wachira Githanda squats as he presents Wagicugu Njoka with Valentine goodies  during the celebrations at Kamiugua Youth Polytechnic where PWDs  enjoyed the day courtesy of area  Governor Anne Waiguru

Speaking  during the celebrations  , Mitaru  said the kind of a rehabilitation center should be well equipped to cope with the rising different  needs.

She said various  courses tailored  according to the needs of the beneficiaries would go a long way in alleviating their economic wellbeing upon completion and make them self-dependent .

The county has only the Kerugoya school  for the  hearing challenged  which enrolls  children from across the country .