COUNTY COMMITTEE PUSHES FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION .
The Kakamega County Disability Committee today held a meeting chaired by CECM for Sports, CPA Jackline Masicha, to discuss issues affecting persons with disabilities and explore ways of strengthening inclusion and support programmes across the county.
Speaking during the meeting, CPA Masicha said the county government is committed to improving the welfare of persons with disabilities and ensuring they are included in county activities, especially sports and recreational programmes. She said the county will continue working with partners and stakeholders to address the challenges facing persons with disabilities and improve services for them.
The meeting focused on the welfare of persons with disabilities, their inclusion in county events, challenges affecting the sector, existing gaps and possible solutions to improve service delivery.
The committee also hosted representatives from Kidogo, a social enterprise that promotes high-quality childcare services through capacity building, improvements in daycare centres and support for children with special needs. Established in 2014 in Mulolongo, Nairobi County, Kidogo currently operates in 12 counties and has a presence in Lurambi Sub-county in Kakamega.
The Kidogo team, led by Ms. Susan, said the organisation has operated for 14 years and initially did not prioritise disability issues but later realised that disability inclusion is a critical component of quality childcare. The organisation has since incorporated support programmes for children with disabilities through holistic childcare centres and partnerships with ECDE institutions.
Ms. Susan noted that some children with special needs are enrolled in regular ECDE centres instead of specialised institutions and that Kidogo has been working to build the capacity of caregivers and institutions to better support such children. She added that the organisation is looking to strengthen facilities and referral systems within Kakamega County to ensure end-to-end support for children with disabilities.
She also expressed optimism that Kakamega County will host celebrations to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 this year.
As part of the way forward, the committee resolved to continue engaging stakeholders, hold regular meetings and address issues surrounding grants for persons with disabilities to ensure that the right beneficiaries access available support programmes.
Also present at the meeting were Chief Officers Christine Oside (culture) and Mr. Daniel Sumba (administration) , Ms. Lucy Mulombi (chair disability coucus kakamega) among other senior officials.