By Salome Alwanda/Victoria Magar
Residents of Busia County have been asked not to discriminate against persons with albinism.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Albinism Day at Busia Stadium, Busia Assistant County Commissioner Philip Omuga noted that a number of parents still hide their children with albinism.
“This is a condition with many challenges but as a government, we are committed to ensuring that everybody participates in Nation building,” he said, adding that albinism is not an inability.
Omuga added that the government is ready to listen to the grievances of persons with albinism. “We have heard of stigma,” he said, adding that locals should not talk ill of them.
He urged persons with disabilities to visit government offices so that they can benefit from them., adding that there is a need to love them so that they can have a sense of belonging.
The officer at the same time noted that some of the Persons with Disabilities suffer from Sexual Gender Based Violence silently urging them to report such cases.
“Never engage in kangaroo courts on matters SGBV,” he said, adding that such cases should be reported to government officers at the grassroots level.
Busia County chairman of persons with disability Ronald Obiero noted that the group is always discriminated against. He lambasted the County Government leadership for discriminating against them by not attending their activities.
He argued that their needs have not been included in the budget of the County government of Busia.
The patron of Empowered Albinism, Ms Sharon Anyango said that there was a need to embrace persons with albinism noting that a number of locals do not recognize the community.
Anyango noted that persons with albinism who are married are abused including being denied access to property.