Kisii Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities With Renewed Calls for Inclusion

By Elizabeth Angira

As the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, stakeholders across both public and private sectors have reiterated that no meaningful development can occur when anyone is left behind.

They emphasized that disability mainstreaming ranging from accessible buildings to inclusive programmes must be upheld at all levels of society.

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring they are meaningfully included across all sectors.

According to WHO this year’s theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” framed a day of reflection, advocacy, and promise.

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)  has reiterated its continued commitment to championing these rights, noting that meaningful progress only happens when persons with disabilities are included in national planning, county decision-making, and community-level programs.

Eric Ambrose Ntabo, President of the People with Disabilities, has described as a historic milestone the adoption of the Disability Act 2025.

For many years, persons with disabilities had been told that disability-related functions had not been devolved to county governments, creating a disconnect between national policies and local implementation.

“Today is our day to remember those who have suffered, in good and bad ways,” Ntabo said. “I am happy because we finally have a document that brings all our issues together.”

Disability Act 2025 Spurs Hope

He explained that the Act not only consolidates disability concerns but also formally devolves disability functions to county governments, a shift that will improve service delivery, accountability, and accessibility at the grassroots.

He called on both national and county governments to take full responsibility in supporting persons who are differently abled.

“Persons with disabilities are not asking for sympathy or special treatment they are demanding equal opportunities and the removal of barriers that prevent them from living dignified, productive lives,” he said.

He thanked the National Council for Persons with Disabilities for its continued assistance and urged leaders to implement what was discussed in the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin.

According to him, Kenya must seize the opportunity to align itself with global standards on equality, accessibility, and disability inclusion

Patrick Owino, the Kisii County Director in charge of the Directorate of Children Services, stressed on the importance of disability etiquette, describing it as a crucial step toward building a respectful and inclusive community.

“We must teach each other disability etiquette,” Owino said. “It is about recognizing someone as a person with a disability, not using the derogatory term ‘living with disability.’ Dignity, integrity, respect, and inclusion are what matter.”

Owino’s message echoed the global theme of the day: society’s progress not when certain groups are uplifted, but when all are empowered to contribute fully.

Government Outlines Commitments and Distributes Mobility Aids

Joseph Maina, the Principal Assistant to the County Commissioner, commended the community for coming together and noted that the celebration offered an important platform to highlight government commitments toward improving the lives of persons with disabilities.

He outlined ongoing efforts to inform citizens about the policies, benefits, and support systems available at both national and county levels.

Maina spoke about initiatives aimed at ensuring persons with disabilities have access to opportunities, protection, and social support.

Maina emphasized that meaningful change requires consistent government action, adequate budget allocation, and collaboration with disability organizations.

Deaf Community Voices Urgent Need for Interpreters

James Obwoge, who represented the deaf community in Kisii County, explained that despite policy commitments, many deaf persons continue to face significant barriers in healthcare, justice, and public services due to the absence of sign language interpreters.

“In hospitals, a deaf person seeking treatment faces huge challenges because there are no interpreters,” he said. “A pregnant woman who is deaf cannot explain her symptoms. In courts, deaf people are told to communicate through written notes.”

His testimony underscored the emotional and physical toll of communication barriers that deny deaf persons basic rights.

Obwoge urged the county government to employ trained interpreters in hospitals, courtrooms, government offices, and even in ward-level administrative units.

He added that employing deaf persons themselves alongside interpreters would promote inclusion and ensure that communication needs are met at every level.

Obwoge said that, persons with disabilities must not only be beneficiaries of services but also active participants in decision-making.

Leaders urged communities to embrace positive attitudes, challenge stigma, and recognize that persons with disabilities contribute meaningfully to economic growth, social cohesion, and cultural development.

According to Kenya Population & Housing Census 2019,  Persons with disabilities constitute 2.2% (0.9M) of Kenya’s population, with women making up 57% (523,883), of all persons with disabilities. The common types of disability are mobility (42%), followed by visual (36.4%), cognition (23.2%), hearing (16.7%), self-care (15.3%) and communication (12.1%). More than 80% of persons with disabilities live in rural areas .