Tharaka-Nithi County celebrated the annual International Day of Persons With Disabilities, in an event that brought government officials and stakeholders from across the county to Kathwana on Friday.
Delivering his speech at the event, Governor Muthomi Njuki acknowledged that his government and with the help of partners had taken measures in recent years, in the provision of white canes, hearing devices, crutches and walking sticks to PWD’s.
The governor noted that priority has also been given to PWD’s in the awarding of county tenders, in an effort to empower them and help raise their living standards.
“In recent years PWD’s have been given the privilege to supply merchandise to Tharaka-Nithi County. Through the executive office, we have also been able to give equal opportunities to them while employing county staff”, he said.
Njuki pointed out that before 2017, hospitals across the county lacked epileptic medication for persons affected by epilepsy and that currently health centres were well equipped to contain the issue.
“Through CHV’s, the county has identified individuals affected by epilepsy and ensured they get proper medication at our health facilities in the county”, Njuki said.
Since getting to power, the governor indicated that buildings constructed under his government had facilities such as ramps and restrooms to accommodate PWD’s and that they would be awarded special considerations in market space allocation.
Disability cards came out as a major challenge to PWD’s, with the governor slamming the national government for not being able to process cards that couldn’t be imitated, saying people faking disabilities and had access to fake cards were more than those with actual disabilities.
“I am asking the national government, through President Uhuru Kenyatta, to get a solution to the card problem. If we can create passports and identification cards that can’t be imitated then it can’t be hard to get a special card for PWD’s”, he said.
According to Njuki, the county will embark on its own program to register and issuing cards to PWD’s by February next year.
Creation of PWD Skill Training Centres in every sub-county, tax exemptions, free healthcare, special bursary forms and creation of a special education curriculum are some of the projects the governor promised to deliver in the future.
The event saw individuals and groups from across the county empowered through 46 wheelchairs, 60 crutches, 16 white canes, 10 hearing aide, 20 walking sticks and 15 special mobility business carts.
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