Kakamega County rolls out new social protection policy for PLWD’s

By Wakhungu Andaje

Kakamega county leadership has finally launched a new social protection policy to guide is government on how to support vulnerable groups within.

Through is Governor Fernandez Barasa, the policy document is aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable in the society especially persons living with disabilities (PLWD’s).

Speaking at Bukhungu stadium during the international day for persons living with disabilities 2025, Barasa directed that PLWD’s in the county deserved to benefit from social protection and economic empowerment programs including the Kazi Mashinani employment at 10% as well as the Shs 50, 000 county grant to twenty groups in every Ward.

Kakamega county Governor Fernandez Barasa right with the county chairperson for PLWD'S Lucy Mulombi launched the social protection policy document.

The governor stated that the PLWD’s executive orders should be respected at all cost since they needed to have the same benefits like any other Kenyan. 

This county social protection policy document we are launching today is aimed at giving PLWD’s reprieve through county programmes ensure that it is followed to the latter, let my ministers in charge of social services see to it that there is inclusivity in all aspects from employment to sports.

“Apart from them being allocated special positions in the Kazi Mashinani in the next cohort, let them also be considered when the reconstitution of level 4 boards at the grass root level commences next year” he directed.

He said it was only through such empowerment that they will also be able to uplift themselves and their families altogether.

The governor observed that many PLWD’s were facing various challenges from political, social, economic, traditional with gender based based violence being the most reported.

He added that to continue uplifting them 5% of the county budget will be set aside to cater for their interests with employment at the county also setting aside some slots for them.

He advised the social and sports services minister to ensure that a team from the county was dispatched to participate in the Makueni county Paralympic games Barasa revealed he had directed registered PWD’s in the area be exempted on all County Government taxes forthwith and that they be given priority when seeking government services.

The County Government in partnership with Bethany Kids donated assistive devices worth Khs 15 Million to PWD’s across the county where 471 PLWD’s were bound to benefit with each device having been tailored to fit each individuals’ specifications.

Many of the disabled persons in the country barely know their constitutional rights as stipulated in the 2010 constitution.

This has led to many of them being abused, neglected and denied their rights as per the bill of rights in the constitution.

She quoted article 1 of the 2010 constitution that states “the sovereignty power belongs to the people” assuring them that despite their conditions, they were also entitled to those fundamental rights like any other human being including among others health, education, right to elect (vote) and should exercise them fully.

She pointed out that the 2010 constitution has clauses that favour the disabled persons if implemented will assist them achieve their many goals they’ve yearned for years.

At the same time she hinted that currently the constitution was only serving few individuals personal interests leaving the disabled out.

“Our 2010 constitution is yet to be fully implemented to our advantage and once it has done so and exceeded its usefulness then we can advocate for its changing to a new one but for now it still remains to be the best constitution in both the East and Central Africa as it entails so many good clauses to assist us”, she said.

Governor Fernandez Barasa pushes a young child with disability

Shiundu also lauded the new disability act 2025 which replaces the 2003 as falling in place with the 2010 constitution one tailored to empower the (PLWD’s). 

She poked holes at the now scrapped disability act 2003 as having a lot of loopholes that did not favour them as far as getting vital services was concerned.

The Kakamega county chairperson for PLWD’s Lucy Mulombi hailed the efforts by the county government for considering them in all spheres and expressed confidence that with the newly launched social protection policy document many disabled people will find solace.

“We are happy to be part of the 2025 disability act as it is crafted to benefit each of the registered (PLWD’s) and through organizations like (TICAH), we will push for its implementation of our 5% space in both county and national governments respectively” she paused.

She added that unlike in the past acts which had passed and shelved their laws to their disadvantage, the 2025 act was shedding more light to their issues and it was awake up call for them to push for its realization through advocacy, civic education, raising of their voices and through community actions.