Kiambu: The Kiambu County Government has distributed food hampers to 120 persons with disabilities in Gitothua Ward, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening social protection programs for vulnerable residents across the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the exercise was spearheaded by the Directorate of Gender and Social Services under the Department of Education, Gender, Culture and Social Services. It forms part of the county’s broader social protection program targeting persons with disabilities, older persons, disaster-affected households, and other vulnerable community members. The distribution was led by Deputy Directors Peter Ogallo and Grace Waweru and attended by Gitothua Ward MCA John Njogu.
Speaking during the exercise, Ogallo emphasized the county’s commitment to implementing programs that cushion vulnerable residents from socio-economic challenges while promoting dignity and inclusion. He highlighted that social protection aims to restore dignity and improve the quality of life for those facing difficult circumstances.
Ogallo also noted that accountability remains a key pillar in implementing the county’s social protection programs, with a rigorous verification process for all assistance applications. Home visits are conducted to verify each case before assistance is approved, ensuring resources reach genuinely needy residents while promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in service delivery.
The Directorate’s interventions extend beyond emergency food assistance, with programs tailored to address the varying needs of beneficiaries through a coordinated approach. Ms. Grace Waweru stated that the type of support offered depends on needs identified during assessments conducted by Gender and Social Services officers. The county also distributes sanitary towels to vulnerable girls to promote dignity and reduce education barriers, while persons with disabilities requiring specialized care receive adult diapers to improve their quality of life.
Waweru further mentioned that the Directorate works closely with the Department of Health Services to facilitate free medical assessments for persons with disabilities, enabling eligible beneficiaries to obtain disability certificates required to access government programs and disability-related services. The objective is to provide immediate assistance and connect beneficiaries with services offering sustainable support.
Chief Officer for Vocational Training and Social Services Emily Nkoroi noted that the Directorate continues to implement programs aligned with its mandate of social protection, disability, and gender mainstreaming. With the support of Kiambu Governor Dr. Kimani Wamatangi, the Directorate aims to alleviate challenges facing vulnerable society members, enabling them to live with dignity.
Gitothua Ward MCA John Njogu welcomed the initiative, stating it provides much-needed relief to vulnerable families. He urged eligible residents to work closely with the Directorate of Gender and Social Services to access available programs aimed at improving their welfare. Kiambu County’s Social Protection Policy advocates coordinated interventions responding to the diverse needs of vulnerable residents through collaboration among government departments. The Gitothua exercise reflects the county government’s broader strategy of translating that policy into practical action, combining emergency relief, disability inclusion, community-based assessments, and interdepartmental collaboration to deliver responsive and sustainable social protection services.
