By Mathews Bulimo
Bungoma County residents have been urged not to hide their children and relatives who are deaf so that they can benefit from various empowerment opportunities from both the national and county governments.
Speaking at the Bungoma Airstrip grounds in Kanduyi sub-county during the official launch of the International Deaf Awareness week ,Mrs Wendy Naliaka from the Bungoma county National Government Disability office said that deaf children can benefit from various scholarship opportunities to further their education .
She revealed that through the National Council of People living with Disabilities, the deaf can also receive economic empowerment through loans and grants to enable them earn a daily living.
The officer called upon parents to register their children with the council so as to receive free medical services after receiving their Disability Identification cards.
‘The national government is keen to continue advocating for the rights and welfare of deaf people in Bungoma county,’ she revealed.
According to Mrs Naliaka, the main mandate of the International Deaf Awareness Week is to sensitize the society on the need to give equal opportunities and platform to the deaf .
Present at the event was the Chairman of Bungoma empowerment of the deaf Organization and Disabilities network Mr Adrian Sakwa who called upon Bungoma county government to provide an environment that will enable the deaf to earn a living and be independent.
Mr Sakwa said that the county government should also include the deaf in the Governor’s Scholarship programme so that the deaf can also further their studies.
He thanked the National government for its continued support towards people living with disabilities in Bungoma County.
‘Politicians should come up with more legislation to protect the interests of the dead and other people living with disabilities,’ he added.
