Sh30 million drive to aid disabled flagged off

Benson Kiptum, Nairobi co-ordinator for Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, speaks Wednesday as the campaign to distribute supportive devices for the disabled to 10 counties was flagged off. [Photo: Mbugua Kibera/Standard]

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re) Wednesday flagged off the distribution of 465 supportive devices for the disabled as part of the first consignment in the 2014 “Niko Fiti – Ability Beyond Disability” campaign.

The devices to be distributed to 10 counties starting Friday include 174 tricycles, 131 wheelchairs, 90 special seats and 45 pairs of crutches.

The 2014 campaign that will cost Sh30 million is the fourth Niko Fiti annual exercise.

The first leg will last four days and will benefit adults and children with disabilities in Kisii, Kisumu, Busia, Migori, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Nyamira and Nakuru counties. The areas were identified to have the highest incidence of disability.

The largest distribution will go to the residents of Busia County who will receive 245 of the devices.

The caravan in the second leg will travel to the Mt Kenya and Eastern regions in September.

Niko Fiti is a project by Kenya Re in partnership with the Standard Group and the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK).

Speaking Wednesday during the flagging off ceremony held at Kenya Reinsurance Plaza, the corporation’s Managing Director Jadiah Mwarania said the campaign offers both physical and emotional support.

“The campaign has rekindled hope and enhanced productivity of over 700 Kenyans from different counties. It has enabled them go through life with minimal dependency,” said Mr Mwarania.

Standard Group Ltd Business Development and Innovation Director Francis Munywoki, standing in for CEO Sam Shollei, reassured that the media house was fully committed to the cause.

He added that the group had increased its contribution to Sh12 million up from last year’s Sh8 million.

APDK founder and national chairman Moody Awori called on the public to avoid preventable causes of disability.

Last year, over 500 devices were distributed to deserving cases in different parts of the country in three phases.

During follow-ups, it was evident that several beneficiaries only needed the push from the supportive devices to change their lifestyles; most of them lived in abject poverty.

Kenya Re has also taken up support of sports activities for those living with disabilities and will donate specialised paralympic equipment in October.