Through proactive advocacy and mobilization efforts, PWDs in Kenya are shattering barriers and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society. Through collaborative initiatives and strategic planning, they are reshaping the narrative around disability rights and championing meaningful participation in governance and decision-making.
Kenya has a robust legal framework to protect the rights of People with Disabilities (PWDs), including the 2010 constitution and the 2003 Persons with Disabilities Act. However, the implementation of these policies remains a challenge, as PWDs continue to face various forms of marginalization and exclusion. Factors such as poverty, political exclusion, discrimination, and limited access to educational opportunities contribute to the persistent underrepresentation of PWDs in decision-making processes.
Recognizing the urgent need for active participation in their own liberation, the Independence of People with Disabilities Kenya (IDPK) group sought out Africa Centre for Nonviolence and sustainabledevelopment (AfriNOV) Nairobi office for capacity-building. AfriNov became a valuable ally, facilitating a diagnostic activity to gain deeper insights into the group’s needs and goals. Thiscollaboration laid the groundwork for the Turning the Tide program, which helped IDPK identify areas of collaboration based on shared interests and objectives. Armed with newfound knowledge, the IDPK group embarked on a transformative journey, fuelled by a shared vision of inclusion and empowerment.
Nicodemus Makau the chairman jokingly says, “If you are not at the table, then you could as well be on the menu.” Makau and the group are aware that disability inclusion as a national legislation is arequirement in all government institutions which features in many policies, however from the training they identified persistent barriers to full social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities including:
1) Inaccessible physical environments and transportation,
2) Unavailability of assistive devices and technologies,
3) Non-adapted means of communication,
4) Gaps in service delivery,
5) Discriminatory prejudice and stigma in society.
AFRINOV organized a workshop and trained them on crucial themes such as violence and nonviolence, power dynamics, change processes, and nonviolent campaign planning. The groupcame up with a campaign focusing on increased representation of people with disability in different leadership capacities in the community. The first strategy for their campaign involved holding a stakeholder’s forum to air their grievances, which they achieved through mobilizing local leaders to the forum. The leaders did not commit to attend the forum. The strategy did not yield the objective of the campaign as per the expectation therefore needing a change of strategy.
Despite the significance of the IDPK’s meeting, only one leader, the area chief, attended and they reached out to AfriNov for guidance on how to convince them to attend. The group was taken through a review of the issue and clearly setting out the goal of the campaign. The issues were identified as:
1. No representation in public offices; Chief’s offices, MCA and Governor offices,
2. Seeking for representation by at least one representative at the chief’s committee in Hazina location south B by end of October.
The group formed a small committee and planned meeting dates and a communication strategy since some members did not have smart phones. They agreed to use text messages and communicate through select key persons.The group was also having internal organization issues which were affecting the campaign. The group met to review the challenge they experienced. They established one other issue being the bureaucracy in the IDPK alliance. Being an alliance only select group members attend group meetings and each group member had to go back to their primary group to share the strategies and plans. After discussions and persisting with the campaign planning, the IDPK group revised their strategy. They agreed to campaign as the IDPK alliance per region without having several campaigns in individual groups going on concurrently. The individual groups were all to support one campaign at a time. They decided to focus their efforts on securing representation in the chief’s public office in Hazina location, South B as an alliance and not as smaller groups.
After changing the plan, the group drafted a letter requesting for the Chief’s audience to discuss the appointment of a PWD representative in South B ward. They physically delivered the letter. They were granted a meeting date to discuss their request. Their demands were now narrower and specific they were seeking for representation in the chief’s public offices in order to be involved in community decision-making, to access timely and correct information, to have their voices and needs represented, to hold the leaders accountable and to access community resources without discrimination e.g education, business grants, relief food and employment opportunities.
1) No representation in public offices; Chief’s offices, MCA, and Governor offices,
2) Seeking for representation by at least one representative at the chief’s committee in Hazina location south B by end of October.
The group formed a small committee and planned meeting dates and a communication strategy since some members did not have smart phones. They agreed to use text messages and communicate through select key persons.
The group was also having internal organization issues which were affecting the campaign. The group met to review the challenge they experienced. They established one other issue being the bureaucracy in the IDPK alliance. Being an alliance only select group members attend group meetings and each group member had to go back to their primary group to share the strategies and plans. After discussions and persisting with the campaign planning, the IDPK group revised their strategy. They agreed to campaign as the IDPK alliance per region without having several campaigns in individual groups going on concurrently. The individual groups were all to support one campaign at a time. They decided to focus their efforts on securing representation in the chief’s public office in Hazina location, South B as an alliance and not as smaller groups.
After changing the plan, the group drafted a letter requesting for the Chief’s audience to discuss the appointment of a PWD representative in South B ward. They physically delivered the letter. They were granted a meeting date to discuss their request. Their demands were now narrower and specific they were seeking for representation in the chief’s public offices in order to be involved in community decision-making, to access timely and correct information, to have their voices and needs represented, to hold the leaders accountable and to access community resources without discrimination e.g education, business grants, relief food and employment opportunities.
After a series of meetings and persistent advocacy, they succeeded in gaining a position for one of their representatives on the chief’s committee. This achievement was a significant milestone, not just for the group but also for the broader movement towards disability inclusion and representation.
They documented minutes of the deliberation meetings, minutes of group meeting documenting the election of the one representative and documentation of meetings with the chief.The group submitted the meeting minutes from the meeting with the chief alongside the group minutes. A pivotal moment for the group was when the group was granted the representation position. They could not believe that they had successfully advocated for the appointment of a representative from their community. This achievement marked a significant stride towards inclusive governance and empowerment for PWDs.Gabriel a member of IDPK, says “We submitted all the requirements endorsing Consolata, the chief drafted a letter confirming Consolata as the representative from IDPK”. He also notes; “this is something new to our group. It was an eye opener (says in Kiswahili: Mlitufungua macho).
Before the training we did not recognize our power, we did not have the skills or the mindset to improve our status. We plan to mobilize all the other following similar steps until we are fully represented in Starehe Constituency. We will not stop at the chief’s offices. We plan to go to every MCA office, senator’s office, governor’s office and all organizations serving in our region.”
Consolata, the appointee to the Chief’s committee, cannot describe her happiness. She says the appointment symbolizes a significant step towards achieving representation in other political offices. Following the success of the Hazina ward Persons with Disability representation campaign the group has had several other representation triumphs as follows:
1) Significant achievements to the journey towards Inclusion of the disabled (IDPK) group marked by notable achievements, courtesy of AfriNov’s’ training which include:
Makaus’s selection as PWDs Representative in CDF Committee: IDPK chairperson, Makau, was selected to represent People with Disabilities in the Community Development Fund (CDF) Committee. The inclusion in this influential committee will ensure the concerns and needs of PWDs are taken into account when allocating resources and implementing community development projects.
Appointment as Board Chairperson of Pumwani School: Mr Makau has also been appointed as the Board Chairperson of Pumwani School. This not only recognizes his leadership abilities but also provides an opportunity to advocate for inclusive education and ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are met. He says, “As the PWDs representative in the CDF Committee and a candidate for the MCA seat in Pangani Ward, I have faced challenges and barriers, but my determination to advocate for inclusive representation has only grown stronger. Being in these positions is not just about personal achievement but about breaking down stereotypes and paving the way for a more inclusive society where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.”
Alfred’s Mobilization of Grants for PWDs: Alfred, a dedicated member of IDPK, successfully mobilized grants amounting to Ksh 200,000 for People with Disabilities in Hazina Ward. This financial support has played a crucial role in addressing the economic challenges faced by PWDs, empowering them to pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors and improve their livelihoods.
Advocacy for Inclusive Education: Eliud Murunga, a participant, leveraged the skills acquired to advocate for PLWD representation on the board of St. Teresa Primary School, which led to his appointment within two months, amplifying his voice for PLWD rights. He influenced the construction of ramps at the school, advocated for admitting children with disabilities, and encouraged PLWD representation in various leadership positions. Currently overseeing the construction, he aims to create awareness among parents about the school’s disability-friendly environment, fostering inclusivity.
He also campaigned for another PLWD’s appointment to the board of St. Teresa Junior Secondary School. These successes exemplify the impact of the workshop, its pre-action strategies, and continued campaign efforts, showcasing how empowered individuals within IDPK have brought about tangible changes in representation and infrastructure to create more inclusive environments for PLWD.Eliud, the treasurer of IDPK, was nominated as the Board Chairman at St. Teresa Primary School. Through his leadership, he has been a strong advocate for physical accessibility within the school premises. Eliud’s efforts have resulted in the implementation of measures to ensure that PWDs have equal access to classrooms, the kitchen, and the school library.This inclusive environment fosters an atmosphere of equal educational opportunities for all students.
These additional achievements further illustrate the impact of IDPK’s collective efforts in advocating for the rights, economic empowerment, and inclusive education for people with disabilities. The chairman Mr Makau, says, “We extend our gratitude to AfriNov for their invaluable training and ongoing support, which has played a crucial role in our accomplishments. As we celebrate these milestones, we remain committed to our mission and look forward to further advancing the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in our community and beyond.”
The group is also currently following up a stall allocation campaign in Nairobi County, focused on advocating for the allocation of stalls/spaces specifically designed for people with disabilities.The campaigns led by IDPK demonstrates a strategic and proactive approach to advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Through collaboration, nonviolent activism, and persistent efforts, IDPK is making progress towards achieving justice and equality for individuals with disabilities in Kenya.
The journey of the IDPK group with AfriNov’s training on social justice exemplifies the power of collective action and advocacy in challenging social injustices. Through empowerment, education, and strategic planning, the group has made significant strides in promoting inclusivity and representation for people with disabilities. As they continue to amplify their voices and drive positive change, the impact of their efforts reverberates beyond their community, inspiring a more inclusive and equitable society.
