TJRC accused of sidelining mentally disabled persons during hearings

By Ally Jamah

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission has been accused of sidelining persons with mental disability in latest thematic hearings.

The CEO of the Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped Edah Maina said representatives of persons with mental disability have not been invited to present their views to the crucial hearings that were set to begin on Tuesday.

"I am shocked that TJRC can leave mentally disabled Kenyanswhen the group has suffered the most injustices and have a lot of issues to raise. I learnt of the event by luck through a colleague" said Maina

But TJRC Communication Manager Kathleen Openda insisted that only umbrella bodies had been invited for the thematic hearing, saying the views of the mentally challenged would still be captured.

But Ms Maina maintained that none of the invited groups could speak on behalf of people with mental disabilities, saying her organisation was not part of them.

Mentally disabled persons form the largest group among people with disabilities. The groups invited were the United Disabled Persons of Kenya and the National Council for People with Disabilities.

Openda clarified that the hearings that were to begin on Tuesday were postponed after technical equipment malfunctioned.