A section of persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) in Uasin Gishu has asked Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim to ensure his administration provides them with employment as provided by the law.
The group say they also need empowerment through access to job opportunities.
“We need the government`s support to help us move a step ahead in developing our dreams and ambitions as well as our parents who need to sustain their families. This will only be possible if the government gives us a chance for representation,” said Phoebe Chepchumba, a youth living with a disability.
The PWDs argue that currently, very few of them have been considered for employment in various positions in the county.
Beatrice Cherop, a leader of the group told journalists in a media briefing in Eldoret town on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, that persons living with disability should be given equal rights and respect as everyone else.
“Just like any other person, we are learned and with our certificates to various levels. Therefore, whenever we are qualified for something we applied for, we ought to be considered because we are able to deliver as well,” Cherop said.
The group demanded that in any county government appointment, at least five per cent should be set aside for them.
Office for PLWDs
Further, Wilson Mulwa, also a person living with a disability challenged the governor to establish an office that will be mandated to handle their issues.
“I am calling upon governor Jonathan Bii to allocate us an office from which we can work as an organization and take our complains and regards that concern us,” said Mulwa.
The persons with disabilities spoke a day after the county boss named his 10 nominees for the County Executive Committee Member (CECMs).
Of the 10 individuals, none were from the PLWDs.
In February this year, the government sponsored a bill which, among others, proposes that every employer – public and private – will be required to reserve at least five per cent of direct employment opportunities for PLWDs.
The bill has not yet been passed.
In the present law, the National Council for PLWDs is only required to secure the reservation of casual, emergency, and contractual jobs.
