Political Parties Urged to Ensure Full Inclusion of PWDs in 2027 Elections
As the country gears up for the next general elections scheduled for 2027, the United Party of Independence Alliance (UPIA) is calling on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to unite and ensure they are fully included in Kenyan politics.
Edwin Dedah, a UPIA member and the party's National Disabilities Chairperson, emphasized the importance of inclusion during an appearance on Politics Today, a program aired on Signs TV.
Hosted by Johna Simba, Dedah highlighted the crucial role technology can play in advancing the inclusion agenda. He cited assistALL a mobile application developed under Signs Media, as a significant tool that promotes accessibility and communication among PWDs.
“We need financial empowerment, resources, and innovation. We also need an attitude change. With the right attitude in place, we can truly move toward full and meaningful inclusion,” said Dedah.
He identified stigma within political parties and the broader community as a major barrier preventing PWDs from participating effectively in politics. Drawing from his own experience as a former Member of Parliament aspirant for Kibra Constituency, Dedah urged for equal opportunities.
“Sometimes you attend a campaign rally and find the podium raised and inaccessible. You have to be lifted up there. Once on stage, there’s no chair provided you're told to sit behind the security, yet you're there to voice your issues,” lamented Dedah.
He called on political stakeholders to make intentional efforts to accommodate and include PWDs in all spaces, especially in political processes.
Watch the story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1xR-vt3QLck?si=YJbxFYpaV93yL0ot
BY BARAKA SIMBA
Tags: assitALL App Edwin Dedah, United Party of Independence Alliance
