County passes pro-disability law for buildings

By DENNIS ONYANGO and DOMNICK MITIRO

Kisumu, Kenya: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kisumu can now smile after the County Assembly passed a motion seeking to ease their access to buildings in the region.

Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) condemned lack of elevators in the building that houses the Kisumu County Government offices, saying it has denied the disabled access to basic services.

The motion that was tabled by the nominated member of the Assembly representing persons with disabilities, Carolyne Agwanda, sought to compel the county executive to develop legislation ensuring that any building plan in the county is vetted.

“It will dictate the designs of all architectural work in the county to ensure that those who are physically disabled can access every building,” said Ms Agwanda.

East Kano Ward Representative Moses Ochele said the move will restore the dignity of the group in the region.

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 “It is sad that persons with disabilities are denied important services as they cannot climb up the stairs of most public offices including that of our governor. The offices should be provided with lifts to make it easy for them to get services,” he said.

The Prosperity Building, which houses Governor Jack Ranguma’s offices, was subjected to serious criticism over what the MCAs termed lack of sensitivity to the persons living with disabilities. 

Nyalenda B Ward Representative James Were posed: “Can the disabled climb the several floors at the governor’s offices for assistance?”

Those seeking services at the former provincial headquarters have to climb the stairs of the 14-storey building.

The Children’s Department and Gender Office, both serving the vulnerable, are on the 10th and 11th floors respectively.

The House was puzzled when Agwanda confessed that she had never been in the office of the county boss since she was nominated to the Assembly because she cannot climb upstairs.

The MCAs recommended that a desk be put at the building’s ground floor on specific days when Mr Ranguma can meet the PWDs.

“In the absence of lifts, the governor should come down to give them a hearing,” said Shaurimoyo Kaloleni Ward Representative, Priscah Auma.

The Assembly also resolved that buildings in the county that did not comply with the new requirement should be upgraded.