Kajiado County – The Kajiado County Assembly is on the verge of changing the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the region through the proposed Kajiado County Disability Mainstreaming Bill, 2023. This bill aims to create a mainstreaming fund for PWDs in Kajiado County.
According to a news release by the Kenya News Agency, the fund will consist of various sources, including monies appropriated by the county assembly, grants and donations, as well as income generated from the fund’s proceeds.
The chairperson of the Assembly’s sectoral committee on Disability Mainstreaming, Hon. Betty Taany, emphasized that once the Bill is approved, it will encourage PWDs to engage in entrepreneurial ventures, promoting self-reliance among them. She expressed hope that this initiative will put an end to the exploitation and abuse that some PWDs face, such as begging for money by the roadside.
PWDs in Kajiado County currently face multiple challenges, including stigmatization, lack of registration, difficulties in accessing basic services like education and healthcare, and poor living conditions. Hon. Taany believes that the passage of this bill will address these challenges.
According to the proposed legislation, the county assembly shall allocate not less than Sh 50 million in any financial year to the fund. Additionally, the Kajiado County Disability Mainstreaming Board will be established, with at least a third of its members being PWDs. The board will also include a fund administrator and representatives from departments responsible for disability mainstreaming, education, health, public service, and finance.
The board’s mandate includes purchasing assistive devices for PWDs, supporting education programs, providing training, capacity building, mentorship, and business development services to PWDs in the county. It will also cover administrative expenses and any other activities in line with the act.
Furthermore, the board may use the fund to finance start-up businesses for PWDs, establish micro and small enterprises for them, support agri-business ventures, facilitate medical services, including nutritional services, and give special consideration to persons with intellectual disabilities.
The Disability Mainstreaming committee has already conducted public consultations in all five sub-counties in Kajiado and is in the process of preparing a report for presentation to the county assembly.
In summary, the Kajiado County Assembly is working towards establishing a mainstreaming fund to improve the lives and opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in the region.