National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya Donates Sh7.5 Million in Equipment to Support Persons with Disabilities

The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) has donated equipment worth over Sh7.5 million to support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Western Kenya. Prof. Julia Ojiambo, a member of the NFDK Board of Trustees, announced the donation during a ceremony in Kakamega.

The donation includes Sh2 million allocated to ten institutions that care for PWDs, with each institution receiving Sh200,000. Additionally, 45 individuals received donations worth Sh1.5 million. The fund aims to empower PWDs economically by providing them with tools, equipment, and assistive devices.

Prof. Ojiambo expressed concern that some caregivers are still concealing persons living with disabilities due to stigmatization, denying them opportunities to engage in income-generating activities. She emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the principle of inclusivity and that it is unfair to block a group of people from enjoying their fundamental rights.

The NFDK has been operating for 43 years and has continuously helped empower many PWDs. The individual donations were given based on individual requests and ranged from rehabilitative equipment to mobility aids and tools of trade. The recipients were urged to utilize the equipment to improve their social wellbeing and not sell them.

Why this matters: The donation from the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya highlights the ongoing efforts to support and empower persons with disabilities in the country. By providing essential equipment and resources, the fund aims to promote inclusivity and enable PWDs to engage in income-generating activities, thereby improving their quality of life.

The distribution exercise targeted 384 people in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, and Nyamira counties. The items distributed include sewing machines, washing machines, carpentry equipment, welding machines, wheelchairs, and salon and barber shop kits, among others. Prof. Ojiambo emphasized the need to support PWDs to enable them to lead normal lives and utilize their full potential. Other NFDK Board members, including Major Marsden Madoka and former Kitui Senator David Musila, urged the recipients to utilize the equipment to improve their social wellbeing and not sell them.

Key Takeaways

• NFDK donated Sh7.5M in equipment to support PWDs in Western Kenya.
• Donation included Sh2M to 10 institutions and Sh1.5M to 45 individuals.
• NFDK aims to empower PWDs economically by providing tools and devices.
• Some caregivers still conceal PWDs due to stigma, denying opportunities.
• NFDK has operated for 43 years, empowering many PWDs in the country.