The Lamu county government has launched a Sh2.5 million empowerment programme targeting people living with disabilities-PWDs across the county.
The move which is aimed at taming poverty among the special needs community is anticipated to go a long way in improving sustainable income-generating activities.
Speaking during the launch at the Lamu County Disability Leadership Forum in Mokowe, Governor Issa Timamy said the focus was on bettering and improving the lives of the PLWD community in the county.
The governor, while issuing the Sh2.5 million grant, urged for prudent and accountable spending of the monies to enable them to uplift their standards.
At least 45 groups of PWDs from across Lamu County benefited from the programme.
“We have handed grants to groups from Lamu County. The grants will enable them to undertake various socio-economic projects and better their lives. I will encourage them to put the money to prudent use and resist the temptation to squander,” Timamy said.
The governor stated that his administration remains committed to ensuring individuals living with disabilities get equal employment opportunities and support from the government as stipulated in the law.
“As part of the efforts by my administration to ensure inclusivity of PLWDs, we’re prepared to undertake massive digitisation of disabled persons which will enable the government to cater for their needs,” said Timamy.
He affirmed the county’s commitment to matters of PLWDs, noting that through TimamyCare (Afya Mashinani), the county will be reaching out to them at their respective homes.
Lamu Executive for Education, Sebastian Owanga, reiterated plans by his department to introduce avenues meant to assist persons living with disabilities in the county.
According to Owanga, barriers such as economic, social, attitudinal, physical, legal, political, and even cultural are key hindrances for PLWDs to make progress.
“We’re set to use sports to empower PLWDs in our county. Involving you in sports makes you feel appreciated. Sports will also help identify talents among you and work on nurturing those talents. We don’t want you to be left out,” Owanga said.
