Youths with disabilities in Nyanza urge State to abolish levies imposed on registration certificates

Some youths with disabilities in the Nyanza region have called on the county governments to remove levies imposed on them when they want registration certificates.

They argued that Homa Bay, Kisii, Kisumu, Siaya and Nyamira counties, except Migori, ask them for between Sh300 and Sh500 in order to register for the crucial document.

The document is significant for persons with disabilities because the Kenyan government uses it for planning and providing special services for people with disabilities.

Lakers Youth Disability Association (LYDA) director Caroline Kisuge said the charges imposed on the PWDs who want to acquire certificates have barred many from accessing the document.

The certificate shows and proves that one has disability and indicates the type of disability and condition one has.

Kisuge said they do not want the national government to continue leaving out PWDs from the services it offers to them.

“The data obtained from registration is used by the national government to plan for people with disabilities. There is scanty data on PWDs in Nyanza due to the levies devolved units in the region imposed on them to get certificates,” Kisuge said.

Speaking during their meeting in Homa Bay town on Tuesday, the director appealed for concerted efforts and collaboration from partners to assist PWDs in the Nyanza region.

The association wants a partnership to start entrepreneurship programmes that would empower youths with disabilities so that they can become self-reliant and eradicate dependency.

“There is a need to do away with the culture of begging being associated with youths in the country. Partners and other well-wishers should join hands with us to help youths with disabilities realise their dream,” she said.

According to Kisuge, the State should consider constructing a sheltered workshop that would absorb youths with disabilities to practice skills learnt in school.

The director, who is also a teacher of special needs, said they focus on mental health, civic education, psychosocial support, entrepreneurship, gender based violence, menstrual hygiene and awareness of the services the government provides for youths with disabilities.

There is only one sheltered workshop in Kenya which is situated in Jakaranda in Nairobi.

She argued that youths with disabilities need to practice in a non-discriminative environment and where they get help to market their product.

“As teachers, we empower youths with disabilities with hands-on skills, but they regress back at home because they don’t have anywhere to practice. They get wasted because the community perceives them that they don’t have skills,” she added.

Leaders of political parties were urged to nominate youths with disabilities because they also participate in electoral processes.

Youths Josephine Alila (Suba South) and Stephen Omondi (Rangwe) called for inclusion in political parties’ nominations and employment.

Alila wants people to stop associating them with beggars.

“Some of us are graduates with degrees and need employment just like other people. There is a need to stop discrimination among people with disabilities,” she said.

Omondi said they want to be included in sporting activities like tournaments held in counties.

“Inclusivity is the best way of addressing stigma among pesons with disabilities. We want to be self-reliant, not beggars,” Omondi said.