Group behind glimmer at Uasin Gishu Headquarters

Members of the Uasin Gishu Deaf Community who won a tender to keep they county headquarters clean. (PHOTO: MICHAEL OLLINGA/ STANDARD)

Today, if you walk into the Uasin Gishu county headquarters, you will no doubt be struck by how clean it is.

This is one of the busiest buildings in the region with a constant flow of people going in and out but nonetheless, a team of hardworking youth are always at hand to ensure the floors remain spotless. Come rain or sunshine.

It is 1pm when we walk into the building. Most staff members have gone out for lunch and only a few people can be seen. We, however, notice the ‘quiet’ young men and women, in navy blue overalls, diligently cleaning the premises.

They have mops in their hands, buckets filled with soapy water and are engrossed in getting the floors as clean as possible.

They gesture for us to pass as we go to Daniel Chemno’s (Deputy Governor) office.

“For over a year now, these floors have been superbly clean despite the numbers that cross them. The corridors are even cleaner than my office,” Chemno says with a chuckle as he ushers us into his office.

The deputy governor tells us the cleaners are hearing and speech impaired individuals who won the tender to clean the premises and are doing an excellent job.

“They are amazing people, obedient, honest and committed to their work. We gave them this opportunity in line with the new procurement guidelines and have no regrets,” he says.

Winnie Baraza, 24, a member of the team dubbed Uasin Gishu Deaf Community, was among those working the 1pm shift on the premises’ first floor.

With the help of a sign interpreter, a jovial Baraza expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to find meaningful work that enables her fend for herself.

Her colleague Soja Samuel, 41, lauds the county government for the opportunity and explains why they wear dust coats labelled “I am deaf”.

“We would have a challenge where people would talk to us then take offense when we do not respond,” Soja says.

According to Margaret Chepkwony, public service county executive, the 15 member group came together and won the cleaning tender.

“For the past 16 months, this group has been here everyday at 6am and by the time staff members come in at 8am, the place is clean. This is unlike another group that would report late and clean for the sake of it,” she says.