- Dorcas further decried the situation in PWD schools noting they lack food and basic amenities to facilitate learning.
- Embu Deputy Governor Justus Mugo urged parents with children who are mentally challenged not to hide them.
Image: OSDP
The spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi wants capitation for schools of children living with disabilities increased.
Speaking at the ACK St. Monica School for the Mentally Challenged in Embu on Thursday, Dorcas further decried the situation in such schools noting they lack food and basic amenities to facilitate learning.
“As we work towards the inclusion of those who are differently abled, their capitation should considered, their teachers, and also food. How can those with disabilities be in school and not be fed? Surely, there is something that has happened in our community. This is wrong,” she said.
She challenged officers in both the national and county governments to consider the plight of PWDs, noting that they have other physical and mental challenges facing their lives.
“We must up our game in both the national and county government. We must also legislate for their rights and welfare. We are taking children with disabilities to schools where there are no facilities to accommodate their smooth learning. How do they go to the toilet and, do they move around,” posed Dorcas.
She said adopting the PWDs as a pillar in her office meant she would be the voice of the voiceless, the face of the faceless and the feet of those who have no feet by advocating for their rights.
She challenged teachers and management of ACK St. Monica School to prepare their pupils to take part in the next Special Olympics Games.
Last year, the Kenyan team brought home 15 gold medals, four silver medals and six bronze medals.
Dorcas is the patron of the Special Olympics Kenya team.
“We are going to partner and see how we are going to get these children to participate in the Special Olympics,” she said.
Deputy Governor Justus Mugo urged parents with children who are mentally challenged not to hide them.
“Children with mental challenges have rights and are skilled. We have seen them here make decorative things using beads at a very fast speed. I cannot do it myself, and yet I am abled,” he said.
Embu Woman Representative Pamela Njoki encouraged parents of children with disabilities to have them registered for the monthly Sh2,000 stipend from the government to supplement their daily needs.
Area senator Alexander Muchangi told the students Parliament has lawmakers with disabilities and urged them not to be discouraged from becoming great in their lives.