Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Baringo County are expressing their dissatisfaction with the stringent eligibility criteria imposed during the ongoing registration for the Inua Jamii Programme. Led by Edwin Kandie, the leader of PWDs in Baringo Central Sub County, they are voicing concerns that the requirement for severe disability as a prerequisite for qualifying for cash transfers will exclude many of them from participating in the program.
Speaking to journalists at the Kaptimbor Chief’s office grounds on Friday during the County’s launch of the registration exercise, overseen by County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa, Kandie highlighted the challenges faced by PWDs and emphasized the need for support, not just for those with severe disabilities.
“We have many PWDs who wish to join the program but are unable to do so due to the requirement of having severe disabilities,” he stated.
Kandie also pointed out that the 597 slots allocated to the county are insufficient, considering that some locations and sub-locations may only register one beneficiary based on distribution.
He appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and consider their request so that all PWDs can access cash transfer funds without restrictions.
Richard Cherutich, a member of PWDs Paralympics, echoed Kandie’s sentiments, asserting that the regulations are unfair as they discriminate against individuals dealing with various impairments that have left them vulnerable in society. He emphasized that all PWDs should benefit from such programs since they are designed to support them, given their limited alternative means to improve their livelihoods.
Elijah Barbet, Chairperson of Baringo North Sub County PWDs, argued that persons with disabilities have already undergone rigorous medical examinations and are well-known in society, so they should be included in the exercise without restrictions. He lamented that their struggles extend to employment and tendering processes, where cartels unfairly seize their rightful shares, making life exceedingly difficult for them.