Kiambu: The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) celebrated its 20th anniversary in Kiambu County, focusing on the theme ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Diversity and Inclusion in Kenya: Stories of Triumphs and Overcoming Barriers’. The event took place at the Kiambu National Polytechnic (KNAP) and aimed to review significant disability milestones over the past two decades, with the goal of enhancing disability inclusion initiatives in the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the forum was attended by key government officials including Senior Kiambu Deputy County Commissioner Titus Macharia, who highlighted the collaborative efforts between the National Government and the County Government to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in various programs. He emphasized that the government has enacted laws and provisions to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and ensure they have equal opportunities within the county.
Macharia noted the role of the National Fund for th
e Disabled in providing access to assistive devices like wheelchairs and ensuring consideration for persons with disabilities during construction projects to improve access to public spaces. He also mentioned government initiatives to empower persons with disabilities by funding them with tools such as car washing machines and equipment for barbershops and salons to help them achieve their potential.
Kiambu Disability Services Officer Josphat Mokuit elaborated on the achievements of the NCPWD over the last 20 years, including the registration of persons with disabilities and the provision of assistive devices to enhance their quality of life. He encouraged those not yet registered to come forward to access the benefits and support offered by the council, noting that over 50 percent of registered persons with disabilities are employed in administrative roles.
Beatrice Gitaru, the County Coordinator for Social Protection and Children’s Services, highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance financial capacities of p
ersons with disabilities through training and vocational services. She noted that the Kiambu County Government has allocated about 30 percent of its procurement opportunities to persons with disabilities.
Lina Mwangi, Thika Children’s Officer, emphasized the importance of education for children with disabilities, encouraging applications for the presidential bursary, which is partly reserved for vulnerable learners. She clarified that this bursary is available only to children whose parents reside in Kiambu County.
The national event, held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), served as a platform for engaging discussions among persons with disabilities, government officials, and stakeholders to envision future opportunities for disability inclusion in both governmental and private sectors.
