Mwaura: Persons with disabilities must have a voice in Kenya’s political processes

Persons with disabilities must be fully included in Kenya’s resource allocation and political decision-making processes, Secretary for Administration in the Office of the President, Dr Isaac Mwaura, has said.

Speaking during an inaugural stakeholders’ meeting at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Mwaura said the government is prioritising budgetary allocations to ensure persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups receive the resources and support intended for them.

“The government is keen on ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully accounted for in the distribution and utilisation of resources,” Mwaura said.

He added that budgetary allocations were being prioritised to ensure every county and category of beneficiary is catered for, urging stakeholders in the disability sector to help ensure resources reach the intended beneficiaries and are put to proper use.

Mwaura said inclusion must also extend to Kenya’s political and democratic processes, arguing that the concerns of persons with disabilities risk being overlooked when they are absent from decision-making spaces.

“Political participation should not be limited to voting,” he said, adding that it should also include the ability to engage with political parties, seek leadership positions, participate in public debate and contribute to policy development.

He called on political parties, policymakers and other stakeholders to create space for issues affecting persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups to be reflected in policy discussions.

Mwaura also urged stakeholders to address barriers that make it difficult for persons with disabilities to participate in democratic processes.

“For persons with disabilities, meaningful political participation also depends on practical accessibility, including access to information, voting processes, public meetings and other democratic spaces,” he said.

He further said organisations representing persons with disabilities have a key role in ensuring the concerns of their members are communicated clearly to policymakers.

“People who are affected by public policies should have an opportunity to help shape the decisions that affect their lives,” Mwaura said.

Meanwhile, KISE Director Dr Norman Kiogora said the institution is conducting a nationwide assessment of schools and institutions serving learners with disabilities to establish the state of special needs education across the country.

Kiogora said the exercise is examining infrastructure, accessibility, learning facilities, assistive devices and human resources, while geotagging institutions and assistive devices.

“The information helps expose disparities between regions and identify communities where learners may have limited access to specialised educational facilities,” he said.

He said the findings would provide the Government with a stronger basis for determining where additional classrooms, equipment, personnel and accessibility improvements are needed.

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Kenya Country Director Mathias Kamp said partnerships between Government, civil society, the private sector and development partners would be critical in addressing barriers faced by marginalised communities.

“Inclusion requires more than individual programmes because lasting change depends on institutions, systems and processes that can continue delivering results over time,” Kamp said.

He said disability inclusion cuts across education, employment, technology, infrastructure, public services, political participation and economic empowerment, making coordinated interventions necessary.