Baraton: Religious organisations have been urged to collaborate with the government to identify and assist Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) in Kenyan villages. Speaking at the University of East Africa Baraton, Regional Seventh Day Adventist Church President Eliaza Kogei highlighted the church's potential role in reaching out to PLWD, particularly those with mobility challenges, and designing assistive methods in partnership with relevant government agencies.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kogei's remarks came during a recent event where 140 wheelchairs were distributed to PLWDs across Nandi County. This initiative was made possible by the USA-based Chair The Love Organisation, in collaboration with the University of East Africa Baraton (UEAB) and the Nandi County Government. Kogei expressed gratitude to Chair The Love Organisation for their generous donation, which included wheelchairs for Nandi and parts of Uasin Gishu counties.
Kogei also acknowledged the efforts of UEAB and the Nandi County Government in ensuring the wheelchairs reached those in need. Through local church leadership, they successfully identified PLWD in various communities such as Mosop, Chesumei, Aldai, Tinderet, Nandi Hills, and Emgwen to provide assistance.
Professor Jackson Msafiri, Vice Chancellor of UEAB, revealed that the university had written a proposal to Chair The Love Organisation a few years ago, resulting in annual donations of free wheelchairs. The recent batch of 140 wheelchairs cost the organisation Sh 7.2 million to transport to Mombasa port, with the university covering an additional Sh 0.6 million to bring them to Baraton.
Augie Byllot, an official from Chair The Love Organisation, called on well-wishers across the country to help meet the nation's goal of providing 1.5 million wheelchairs. Scholastica Tuwei, Nandi County Government Chief Executive Committee Member for Culture, Gender, and Social Welfare, shared that a budget for assistive technology for PLWD is in place. Her department is compiling data on all PLWD across the county to inform decision-making in budgeting and distribution of assistive devices.
David Shitimu, a recipient with mobility challenges, expressed his gratitude to the charitable organisation for transforming his mobility after a decade of difficulty. He also urged the National Council for Persons Living with Disability to ensure timely distribution of assistive devices to aid many Kenyans living with disabilities.