Political parties charade lock out people living with disability

Disabled Society of Kenya  Photo:Courtesy

Minority groups across the country have been locked out of nomination as political parties reward cronies and family members with the slots.

The most affected are people with disability who are visibly missing from a number of county assemblies.

In at least 17 counties, including Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang'a, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bungoma, Busia and Kisii, no single person living with disability was nominated.

In Nyeri, despite the precedent set by the previous county assembly, where there were three members with physical disability, none was nominated this year.

Nepotism and cronyism seem to have played a huge part in the nominations. Also at play, according to some sources, were illicit dalliances between some of those nominated and powerful forces within the political circles.

Similar accusations were made before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal in July, which led to nullification of the Jubilee Party list of nominees.

"By way of example, nomination of personal assistants, chief campaigners, girlfriends and friends of senior Jubilee Party officials, despite them not being qualified or having played any active role in promoting the party," the tribunal was told.

MOST ABUSED

But the scenario is not unique to Nyeri. The gender top-up list has been the most abused across the country, with politicians seizing the opportunity to award their personal secretaries and loyalists.

Disabled Society of Kenya Executive Director Joseph Atela said most of the nominations have been at the expense of people living with disability.

"Spouses, close relatives and campaigners are rewarded with seats belonging to PLWD," Atela tells the Sunday Standard.

The PLWD accuse the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and its chairman Wafula Chebukati of ignoring their plight.

"This is a big joke to the disability fraternity. It happened in 2013 and this year it is worse," says Atela.

A number of court cases challenging the nomination lists have been filed across the country, but Atela is not optimistic of the chances of success.

"Most PLWDs are not in a position to challenge the issues due to financial constraints," he says.