NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 4 – 137,119 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) have been registered for the Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer program.
According to Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore, the Ministry is working on the review of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003 that promote inclusion and in line to scale up the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer program.
“Out of this, a total of 28,152 households with severe disabilities will be enrolled on the program as replacements or scale-ups and about 137,119 persons with disabilities registered, will be subjected to further checks to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for the Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer program,” she said.
Bore disclosed that the government has prioritized interventions that are vital for supporting persons with disabilities.
She said the Ministry is specifically promoting approaches aimed at improving the long-term economic empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
“Let’s strive for a world that views disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities” she said.
She said one significant step toward guaranteeing the participation of people with disabilities in development is the adoption of a 5% job reservation for them in the public sector.
CS oversaw the signing of an MOU between the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and Huduma Kenya for the distribution of assistive devices to persons with disabilities.
“United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities,” she said.
According to the 2019 census, 2.2 per cent (0.9 million people) of Kenyans live with some form of disability where 1.9 per cent of men have a disability compared with 2.5 per cent of women.
The 2009 census analysis of prevalence rates by residence indicates that 2.6 per cent (0.7 million) of people in rural areas and 1.4 per cent (0.2 million) of people in urban areas have a disability.
