Persons living with albinism to have toll free distress call line says group council

VIHIGA, KENYA: Persons living with albinism in the country will have a toll free call lines to help them get quick aid in case of an attack.
National Council for Persons with Disabilities chairperson Dr David Ole Sankok said occasional attacks on albinos is due to the fact they are unable to access help immediately.
The albinos will also be provided with mobile phones, as most of them have not been able to purchase the gadgets.
"We are negotiating with mobile telephone operators to see how we can help the albinos who are attacked and cannot get help because of one reason or another. All albinos will be given a phone with the distress call line," said Sankok.
He added, "In case of an attack, one will only have to press a button and the call will be registered in all the nearby police stations."
Dr Sankok spoke at Gavudunyi village in Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County, when he visited the home of Mr Enoch Jamenya, an albino who was attacked early last week and succumbed to injuries after being discharged.
He said they are making concerted efforts to transfer all persons living with albinism from the country's borders where they are prone to attacks to regions that are remote.
"In the last two years, we have managed to transfer over 36 albinos from the borders where they were frequently threatened. In the very recent cases, four albino children have been rescued while on transit," he said.
During an earlier conference that ended on Sunday at Broadpark Hotel in Mbale, people living with albinism came up with five resolutions which they wanted the government to put into effect for their safety to be realised.
Director of National Albinism Empowerment Network Trust, Timothy Aseka, network's chairperson Dr Kakai Wanyonyi, and coordinator Martin Wanyonyi attended the seminar.
"Members want the government to mobilise all resources available so that those people who attacked our brother (Enock Jamenya, now deceased) are brought to book and charged. His death has united us as a family and we will fight to the end," said group's spokesperson Martin Wanyonyi.
He added, "Albinos must be involved in the Nyumba Kumi initiative fully so that at least they are able to be identified with the arrangement. That will make their protection easier."
He said being actively involved in Nyumba Kumi initiative will enable their neighbours to track their whereabouts at any time of the day.
Mr Wanyonyi added that the government should put a hotline that can be used by the albinos in case of an attack, for easier access to them.
He further challenged the national council for people living with disabilities to provide albinos living in the remote regions with shoes, on top of the caps and sun glasses provided to them as their legs are adversely affected too.
He urged the albinos also to do their part in making sure that they remain protected, even as they push the government to provide them with protection.