The Deaf community has pleaded with William Ruto to utilize Ksh. 300 million from the “hustler fund” to finance the training of Deaf persons in entrepreneurship and other professional skills.
They said that the move will help to decrease the use of affirmative action.
The Muslim Deaf Association of Kenya secretary, Abdi Abdile urged the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to put aside Ksh 200 million annually to fund businesses and projects undertaken by the Deaf.
He also stated that the elderly Deaf citizens be prioritized in medical care, housing, and movement.
Abdile described the recently constituted cabinet with 22 members as discriminatory because it does not go in line with the constitution that five percent of elective and appointive posts be designated for persons with disabilities.
The chair addressed the issues during the Annual Deaf Awareness Week commemorations in Malindi.
His message was conveyed through a sign language interpreter Linda Chebet, from the NCPWD. The event’s chief guest was Flora Mbetsa, Kilifi county’s deputy governor.
Abdile insisted that one person with a disability should be appointed to the cabinet asking the cabinet to consider appointing one Deaf person as a principal secretary.
The chief guest, Honorable Mbetsa flagged off the Deaf community procession at the Malindi Waterfront Park.
She assured them that plans are underway for the county government to offer them 30 percent of tenders set aside for persons with disabilities, women, and youth.
Mbetsa added that the government will create opportunities for the Deaf to go for higher learning noting that basic service providers like the police and Huduma centers ought to have sign language interpreters to help the Deaf community.
Ustadh Omar Athman who is an imam from Malindi believes that this government belongs to “mama mboga” and the Deaf people ought to be shed a light on as a hustler group.
President Ruto is urged to help and support the Deaf community by ensuring an all-inclusive government as well as a society that will hold the hands of the Deaf and walk with them to the fulfillment of their potential.
BY CHRISTINE OMONDI