Nyahururu: As a way to help raise awareness and support their needs, religious and community groups in Nyahururu town and its environs have called for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
According to Kenya News Agency, a section of both government and community leaders emphasized the need to raise awareness about children with intellectual disabilities and for parents to identify them early.
Chairperson of the L’arche Kenya Board, Ms. Cecilia Ndegwa, and Nyandarua North Deputy County Commissioner, Ms. Angeline Were, highlighted the importance of supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and embracing them as part of the community. The government, community, and religious leaders spoke in Nyahururu during a 5km walk organized by L’arche Kenya in collaboration with other community groups to raise funds to support intellectually disabled persons.
Ms. Were noted that children with intellectual disabilities possess very special talents and need to be embraced and supported. Her sentiments were echoed by Nyandarua Nominated MCA Joyce Munyua, who also represents people with disabilities at the Nyandarua County Assembly. Ms. Munyua pointed out that a lack of opportunities was a major challenge for such individuals.
Ms. Munyua underscored the need to embrace individuals with intellectual disabilities and involve them in community work, stating that this inclusion helps them feel like part of the community. The leaders observed that despite numerous campaigns to ensure that persons with disabilities are properly cared for and that proper legislation is implemented to safeguard their rights, many are still neglected and mishandled.
The leaders called for the inclusion of people living with disabilities in key decision-making organs in both the government and private sector to help address the challenges they face daily.
