By Moses Wekesa (KNA)
Christian Blind Mission(CBM) Global has partnered with the Kakamega County Disability Caucus to empower Persons with Disabilities to seek leadership positions.
The International Organization supports the Training of Trainers of Leaders of Disability groups across the county who will then train their members on leadership and governance.
The Secretary General of Kakamega County Disability Caucus Catherine Namayi Shiundu said that by the end of the one-year project, most Persons with disability will be required to seek various roles and representation to articulate issues for disability mainstreaming.
She noted that their target is to have representatives sitting in every committee from the grassroots level up to the county level with the capacity to defend the rights of Persons with disabilities.
Shiundu noted that already some persons with disabilities are sitting on various committees including the climate change committee, and National Government Constituency Development Fund(NGCDF) Committees among others.
She urged the representatives and those who will be included in others to ensure they raise concerns of persons with disabilities in order to influence policy changes and action from decision makers and office bearers.
She spoke at Kakamega Daisy Special School during the Training of Trainers(TOTs) who will proceed to train persons with disabilities from all the sub-counties in Kakamega.
The Chair of Navakholo Disability Initiative Group, Barthez Wechuli asked the county government to support the program by increasing funds to enable the Kakamega County Disability Committee to carry out more training and sensitizations to enhance inclusivity.
Gregory Nanzai a person with a disability from Mumias East asked both the National and County governments to directly involve the leaders of people with disabilities in programs that are being implemented for them to pass information to others.
“It’s easier for us to get information about government programs from our leaders than it is to get from any other person or entity,” he noted.
Nanzai asked other agencies to ensure their offices are disability friendly and easily accessible to enable people with disabilities to access them without any challenges.