Kericho: The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) has commissioned a 60-bed capacity dormitory for girls at the Kericho Vocational Rehabilitation Centre in Nyagacho, Kericho County, marking a major boost to vocational training for persons living with disabilities in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project, constructed at a cost of Sh3.5 million and furnished with an additional Sh500,000, was funded by the NFDK Trust Fund as part of its flagship institutional support programme aimed at strengthening facilities that empower persons with disabilities through education and skills development.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, NFDK Chairperson Professor Francis Kibera stated that the completion of the dormitory marked a significant milestone in enhancing access to training and improving the welfare of trainees. He emphasized the importance of proper furnishing to ensure the building serves its intended purpose, acknowledging the teamwork that led to the successful completion of the project.
Professor Kibera highlighted the role of the sitting president as the patron of the fund, who appoints its trustees, thereby strengthening collaboration with national government administrators. He explained that the Fund supports persons with disabilities at both individual and institutional levels, providing assistive devices and tools of trade for self-reliance, as well as small grants for minor projects and renovations.
He encouraged institutions to apply for the grants, noting the potential benefits for the rehabilitation centre in improving its facilities. Prof. Kibera also called on county governments and private sector players to partner with the Fund through corporate social responsibility initiatives to expand support for persons with disabilities.
Prof. Kibera elaborated on the history of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya, established in 1981 following a national fundraiser spearheaded by then-President Daniel Arap Moi. The fundraiser raised Sh20 million used to purchase Rehema House in Nairobi, with subsequent fundraisers enabling further acquisitions. The Fund now owns four buildings in Nairobi, whose income supports programmes for persons with disabilities across the country.
NFDK has successfully completed and handed over 472 projects in 228 special schools and units across the country, with plans to continue implementing such projects annually. The newly commissioned dormitory is the fifth flagship project in Kericho County.
Kericho Vocational Rehabilitation Centre Manager, Dr. David Omondi Opar, noted that the institution serves learners from various counties and parts of Upper Kisumu, Nandi South, and western Nakuru. The centre caters to persons living with disabilities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged, equipping them with practical skills for independent living.
Trainees acquire hands-on skills in various technical courses, including hairdressing, carpentry, tailoring, beauty therapy, welding, and fabrication, aimed at enhancing employability and self-reliance. The institution operates two centers with a combined enrollment of 84 students and 10 teaching staff.
During the event, Ainamoi Sub-County Dr. Kibe Maguta encouraged the students to aim high, emphasizing that education and training are key to bringing change to the world. Other NFDK trustee board members present included Prof. Julia Ojiambo, Dr. Mike Kiswili, and Mrs. Cecilia Mbaka.
