KEWOPA Champions Full Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2023
WCC officials, led by Chairperson Mrs. Veronica Njuhi, urged KEWOPA to advocate for regular performance reporting on employment quotas and healthcare access, among other key performance indicators.
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has pledged unwavering support for the full implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2023. Photo/Parliament of Kenya.
By Robert Assad
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has pledged unwavering support for the full implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2023, signaling a significant advancement in the nation’s commitment to disability rights.
During a strategic meeting with the advocacy group Women Challenged to Challenge (WCC), KEWOPA members, led by Machakos MP Joyce Kamene, emphasized the necessity of harmonizing laws, budgets, and oversight mechanisms to ensure the Act’s effective rollout.
“As women leaders, we are ready to champion this agenda in Parliament and in our communities, but we cannot do it alone. We need the full partnership of government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and most importantly, persons with disabilities themselves at the center of this work,” Kamene stated.
WCC officials, led by Chairperson Mrs. Veronica Njuhi, urged KEWOPA to advocate for regular performance reporting on employment quotas and healthcare access, among other key performance indicators.
“Data collection and transparent reporting will be key to measuring and driving progress. We ask that you help us institutionalize this,” Mrs. Njuhi emphasized.
The MPs committed to initiating mentorship programs for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and empowering them to pursue political leadership roles, aiming to enhance their representation in governance.
KEWOPA also called on WCC to conduct an audit of unemployed but qualified PWDs across various fields. This data will assist in enforcing the mandate that at least 5% of all jobs in both public and private sectors be reserved for PWDs.
On budgetary allocations, KEWOPA Executive Director Ms. Mercy Mwangi urged WCC to remain vigilant during the budget-making process, starting with the Budget Policy Statement, to ensure adequate funding for disability programs.
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2023, which received overwhelming support from both the National Assembly and the Senate, is currently awaiting the President’s assent. Once enacted, the Act will harmonize Kenya’s disability laws with the 2010 Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and international best practices, promoting inclusive service delivery across the nation.
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