Only 4pc of public institutions have met employment threshold for persons with disabilities

When the then Executive Director, the National Council for persons with disabilities Mohamed Hussein Gabbow and then Labour and Social Protection Principal Secretary Susan Mochache handed over carpentry equipment to Emmanuel Mutiso during the Launch of the tools of trade program for persons with disabilities in Nairobi. [File, Standard]

Only 4 per cent of public institutions have met the legally mandated 5 per cent reservation of employment for persons with disabilities in the country.

This is according to the second Disability Inclusion Report 2024, which was released by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD

The report further indicates that only 35% of institutions employed persons with disabilities by 1st of July 2022, with an overall compliance rate of 1.32% of the total workforce in these institutions were persons with disabilities.)

Speaking at the launch of the report in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Florence Bore, stated that the report is a culmination of efforts, insights and dedication by public institutions in promoting disability inclusion; through the implementation of the Disability Mainstreaming Performance Indicator during the financial year 2022/2023.

“I would like to commend efforts made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in implementing the disability mainstreaming performance indicator during the period,” said Bore.

She also added that there is more that needs to be done to achieve an equitable society for people living with disabilities.

“However, I note there is still a long way for us to go to fully attain a disability-inclusive society therefore, the recommendations are a call to action for all stakeholders in the public sector.”

The report is part of the efforts to promote and protect equalization of opportunities and realization of human rights for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs); and enable them to live decent livelihoods.

Some of the recommendations in the report include consideration by the Public Service Commission for the establishment of an employment cadre for Diversity and Inclusion officers to embed inclusive practices. It also pushes for public institutions to standardise tools for the collection of data on participation and access to services by people living with disabilities.