𝗠𝗖𝗔𝘀 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗘𝗖𝗗𝗘𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗧𝗖𝘀

Members of the County Assembly today passed a resolution requiring all County-run Early Childhood Development Education Centres (ECDEs) and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) to offer enhanced support and disability-friendly services to learners living with disabilities.

During the debate, Specially Elected MCA Hon. Harrison Kariuki, who represents persons living with disabilities, cited Article 54 of the Constitution, which guarantees access to educational institutions and facilities for people with disabilities. He urged the County Executive to allocate adequate resources to ensure County schools are equipped with disability-friendly infrastructure that promote dignity and equal access.

Hon. Kariuki also highlighted staffing gaps in ECDEs and VTCs, noting the shortage of teachers trained in special needs education. He called for increased community awareness on the rights of people with disabilities.

Murinduko Ward MCA Hon. Charles Nyamu, urged the County to explore ways of supporting disadvantaged learners with disabilities by helping offset school fees, pointing out that many institutions providing specialized services are costly.

Karumandi Ward MCA Hon. Caroline Wanjiku,  encouraged residents to stop hiding children living with disabilities, emphasizing that “disability is not inability.” Her remarks were echoed by Hon. Grace Kamau, who stressed the importance of employing teachers trained to handle learners with special needs.

Kerugoya Ward MCA Hon. Eric Muchina, added that no child chooses to be born with a disability which is why they deserve full support. 

Health Committee Chair Hon. Bernard Gichangi, called for the recruitment of medical practitioners trained in sign language to improve healthcare access for people with hearing impairments.

The Assembly directed the County Executive Committee Member for Education to develop a policy on integrating learners with disabilities into County institutions within 60 days. MCAs also urged the Executive to allocate resources for enhancing institutional accessibility improvements, staff training, and community outreach.

Separately, Members took the better part of the afternoon debating the state of the County address which was presented to the Assembly last week by Governor Anne Waiguru.

In a debate which was tabled by Wamumu Ward MCA and Minority Party Leader Hon. Peter Njiru, Nyangati Ward MCA Hon. Kenneth Mwendia applauded the County’s revenue reforms, noting that automation had led to collections surpassing KSh 800 million in the last financial year.

Karumandi Ward MCA Hon. Caroline Wanjiku, commended the administration for improving access to early childhood education, saying newly completed ECDE classrooms in Karumandi had significantly reduced the long distances previously covered by learners.

Education Committee Chair Hon. Charles Nyamu, expressed optimism following an agreement signed between the County Government and the Ministry of Education earlier today, which he said would enable the issuance of bursary across the County before the end of the financial year.

Nominated MCA Hon. Jane Wangu,  highlighted ongoing works at the Sagana Industrial Park, noting that the project is expected to create valuable employment opportunities for young people.

Hon. Bernard Gichangi urged the County Public Service Board and the Department of Health to recruit at least 100 medical personnel before the end of the financial year to address staffing shortages at Kerugoya Referral Hospital and in dispensaries across the County.

Debate on the State of the County Address is expected to continue tomorrow in accordance with the prevailing Assembly Standing Orders.