Kenya is taking big steps towards including Persons with Disabilities in all parts of life. His Excellency President William Ruto recently showed his strong commitment to this idea. He invited people from the Deaf Community and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to a special event at State House Nairobi.
This important gathering happened right before the International Week of Deaf People, which starts on September 18, 2023. The theme of this week is “A World Where Deaf People Can Sign Anywhere.”
President Ruto’s promise to make Kenya more inclusive is more than just words. It’s a promise that gives hope to many Kenyans with Disabilities. By meeting with representatives from the Deaf Community and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, President Ruto showed that Kenya is dedicated to being more inclusive.
This promise is based on the idea that everyone should be treated equally, which is something Kenya’s Constitution also says.
For it to come to pass, it’s important to have enough money and resources. Mr. Joseph Motari, who works in the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, talked about this.
He said more money is needed to help the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. This will help the council run programs that support Persons with Disabilities, especially those who have trouble hearing.
Having enough money is really important to make sure that Persons with Disabilities get the support they need and that everyone is treated fairly.
Mr. Harun Hassan, Executive Director of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, stated that some of the rules and laws about disabilities are not up to date. These rules need to be changed to match the laws in Kenya’s Constitution.
Making these changes will make sure that Persons with Disabilities are protected by the law and treated fairly.
Mr. Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, promised to do things that would help Persons with Disabilities find more jobs in the government. He stated that having a job is important because it helps people be independent and feel like they’re a part of the community.
By creating more job opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, the government is making things fairer for everyone.
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities met with other important groups like the Council of Governors, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, and CBM to discuss how to make things better for PWDs.
They came up with the idea of using technology to make medical assessments easier for PWDs. The use of computers and making the assessments happen closer to where people live will make it easier for them to get the help they need.
Ruto’s promise to make Kenya more inclusive shows that he cares about PWDs and wants to make their lives better. As Kenya gets ready for the International Week of Deaf People, this shows the way to a future where everyone, no matter their abilities, can have a good life.
By working together, Kenya can lead the way for other countries and show that equality, fairness, and including everyone are really important values to uphold.