PS Lenasalon urges parents not to hide children living with disability

One of the beneficiaries of the 180 wheelchairs that were donated by the Kenya Devolution Support Program Phase II. Michael Lenasalon, the Principal Secretary for State Department for Devolution, made the donation in Maralal Town, Samburu County on June 16th. 2025. [Photo by Michael Saitoti]

Parents with children living with disabilities have been encouraged not to hide them, but instead to enroll them in institutions that will aid in their rehabilitation.

Michael Lenasalon, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Devolution, stated that hiding children with disabilities only marginalises them.

He addressed parents and guardians at Maralal County Hospital on Monday while distributing wheelchairs.

Lenasalon urged chiefs and their assistants to collaborate with health officials in gathering data on persons living with disabilities (PLWD) in their areas.

"The administrators and community promoters can easily collect data PLWDs, which will enable the national government to identify PLWDs in need and plan appropriate assistance," he said.

Samburu Deputy Governor Gabriel Lenegwesi stated that the county government is prepared to assist in identifying people living with disability to help them access support from the national government.

"As a county government, we are ready to identify them, and we will collaborate with chiefs, ward administrators, and village elders in the process of identifying disabled individuals," Lenegwesi announced.

Geoffrey Ole Pan, the founder of the Good Friends of Maasai Community Foundation, expressed that his organization is eager to work with the people of Samburu to empower persons with disabilities.

He noted that his organisation is active in five counties and plans to come to Samburu next year to provide support and encouragement to individuals living with disability.

Walkey Bailer, a citizen of the USA, also pledged to assist persons with disabilities in the counties.

"We will partner with counties to offer support and empowerment. We have noticed a shortage of wheelchairs, and we are exploring ways to help," he added.