WRITTEN ON MARCH 14, 2024

People with Disabilities being registered in the E- Citizen platform….. picture by Kevin Kalu

Amidst Kenya’s evolving digital landscape, The Dream Achievers Youth Organization (DAYO) in collaboration with the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPWD) conducted a two-day registration and assessment event for individuals with disabilities at Ziwa la Ng’ombe Health Centre earlier this week on 11th and 12th of March.
Seif Jira, DAYO’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the initiative’s aim to enhance accessibility to services for people with disabilities in rural areas. “Our plan is to inclusively accommodate all PWDs in the community within our system for improved and high-quality service delivery,” he stated,

Engagement of DAYO staffs with the NCPWD Chairperson Abdulkadir Yusuf and the Chief Officer Youths, Gender, Games and sports Mombasa County Khamis Juma…… Photo but Kevin Kalu

This was for the fulfilment of the Persons with Disabilities (Amendment)Bill, 2023 Section 11A(1) which states that the Council (NCPWD) shall develop a system that provides for a setting out of the specific disabilities in the recognition of persons with disabilities.
Expressing gratitude to attendees, Jira also highlighted the turnout was more than they expected. “I am happy to say that, the event was a success and I would also like to thank those who showed up for such services. We have even surpassed our target.” He added
Officials from the Ministry of Health and the county government attended the event, with Khamis Juma, Chief Officer of Youths, Gender, and Sports in Mombasa County, highlighting its importance for both disabled individuals and the county government’s budget planning efforts.

DAYO’s C.E.O conversing with Doctor Shem Patta.

This meant that, DAYO’s intentions aligned the need of Mombasa county government to allocate funds for people with disabilities in the 2023/2024 County Budget referring to the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003 by National Council Of People with Disabilities, Kenya.
According to Juma, the event is going to play a very vital role in budgeting and allocation of funds in Mombasa County purposely to support Education, medication and their general well being.” The Data collected here will help in some ways in budgeting and funds allocation to the people with disabilities in Mombasa County.” He said.
Feisal Oketch, President for PWDs in Mombasa County, commended DAYO’s efforts in prioritizing and considering the needs of PWDs in the community. He also urged parents to actively involve their disabled children in such activities, emphasizing their rights to recognition and access to quality services.” Parents should take the responsibility to expose their disabled children in such activities because it’s also their rights to be recognized and get quality services in the community.” He said.
Irene Wambui, a parent of a disabled children praised DAYO for facilitating the service delivery, expressing hope for a brighter future for PWDs. “We really thank DAYO for their efforts to deliver this service to us today. It has even made the work easier and I really hope that the exercise will bring hope to the PWDs.” She said

Irene Wambui with her daughter departing the venue after the services

In addressing the challenge of inadequate doctors conducting the assessment of the individuals, the Head of Programs DAYO, Enos Opiyo referred them to Coast General Hospital. “We are referring some individuals with other disability conditions that we can’t handle here at the moment Coast General Hospital for assessment. “He clarified.

written by Mapenzi Kitsao