By Collins Wanzallah, The Dispatch Digital
Persons with disabilities have urged President William Ruto to appoint a disabled woman to the position of Cabinet Secretary. Speaking at the University of Nairobi yesterday during celebrations to mark Youth Day, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), Sally Nduta, emphasized that the role of Cabinet Secretary for Gender should be filled by a disabled woman.
Nduta highlighted the constitution’s strong framework for including persons with disabilities in governance and decision-making. “The constitution addresses inclusivity by providing for the appointment of persons with disabilities in public office as well as their representation in Parliament and county assemblies,” she stated.
She pointed out that Article 54(2) of the constitution mandates the state to ensure that at least five percent of elective and appointive positions are held by disabled people. Nduta also mentioned that approximately 10 percent of Kenyans have disabilities, yet many remain marginalized, facing barriers to service provision that hinder their participation in society.
To address these challenges and foster an inclusive culture, Nduta called for sufficient representation of persons with disabilities across all levels of governance, from the Cabinet to other key positions. She stressed that having a Cabinet Secretary with disabilities would ensure that matters of inclusion and accessibility are prioritized.
Nduta suggested several qualified women with disabilities who could be considered for the position, including former Principal Secretary Josephat Mukobe, Regina Chumba, Jemima Kutata (UDA Disability League Coordinator), Penny Kaburu, Alice Munala, Rahab Siranga, Mildred Imino, and Faith Njahira Wangare.
“Indeed, a nation is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Governance and decision-making are incomplete without the presence of persons with disabilities,” Nduta concluded.