Laikipia leaders join walk to support people with disability

People living with disability take part in a 10km walk in Nanyuki. [Jacinta Mutura]

Top leaders in Laikipia County on Saturday joined hundreds of residents in a 10km walk to educate the public on discrimination against people living with disability.

Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, his wife Maria Mbeneka and DG John Mwaniki together with three executive members joined hundreds of people in the two-hour charity walk in Nanyuki.

Tens of people with disability participated in the yearly event organised by Sang’ida Foundation.

Sang'ida is a Laikipia organisation that takes care of neglected disabled children.

Foundation director Jacinta Silakan, also a nurse at the Aga Khan University Hospital, described how her organisation rescued more than 40 children from pastoralist communities in Laikipia and Samburu.

“Most of the children born with disability are abandoned by their parents because they are regarded a curse in pastoralist communities. There are cases where some are thrown away at birth or hidden away from the public,” Silakan said.

She added that her 23-year-old autistic son motivates her commitment towards people living with disability.

The director cited the case of a four-year old girl born with a cataract, rendering her blind.

She narrated how the parents had given up on her until the foundation stepped in and funded an eye operation. The girl's sight was restored.

National Council for People with Disability CEO Mohammed Gabbow also joined the walk.

Gabbow urged elected leaders from her pastoralist community to lead the fight against stigmatisation and discrimination against disabled children.