By: Emily Mikwa
A new chapter is unfolding in Kisumu as a groundbreaking project shifts the focus of disability inclusion from a conversation about people to one led by people with disabilities.
A partnership with the County Government of Kisumu and the Hope Women with Disability (HOWID) CBO, TINADA, and CBM-Global Disability Inclusion, launched Phase Two of the OPDs (Organisations of Persons with Disabilities) Leadership Engagement and Development Project. The program is a movement towards self-determination and empowerment.
The event brought together a coalition of voices, including local disability groups such as the Kanjoro and Malindi & Kilo Disability Groups, as well as national representatives from the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the State Department of Social Protection. This gathering signified a unified commitment to change.
While officiating the launch, the CBM executive Director Edwin Osundwa, offered a thought-provoking challenge to the participants. He urged them to move beyond simply demanding their rights and to embrace the responsibility that comes with them.
He highlighted the evolution of disability support, a journey he described as moving from supporting people, to working With them, and now, finally, to empowering them to lead by themselves. This shift echoes the powerful slogans that have defined the disability rights movement: “Nothing about us without us” and “Leave no one behind.”
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Culture, Gender, and Youth Affairs, Madam Beatrice Odongo, took the opportunity to clarify a common misconception about gender—that it includes both men and women, not just women.
She encouraged the public to participate in county budget sessions to ensure their voices and needs are included.
Madam Odongo also underscored the need to fully implement existing gender and disability policies, stating that they shouldn’t just be left “to lie on the shelves.” Her department has committed to helping young people with disabilities access government funds and register groups.
In his remarks, the Kisumu County Commissioner, Mr. Benson Leparmorijo, emphasized the legal foundations of disability rights, citing key articles from the Constitution of Kenya 2010 that address non-discrimination and access to services. His concluding statement, “Disability is not an inability,” resonated deeply with the participants.
The Governor’s Advisor on Persons with Disabilities, Madam Caroline Agwanda, noted that this support enabled HOWID to grow, advocate for change, and train county staff on disability awareness. Their efforts have led to the creation of a disability awareness handbook and have significantly increased the visibility of persons with disabilities in policy discussions.
Phase II also promises to build on a foundation that will usher in an era where the disability community in Kisumu is not just heard, but is leading the way forward.
