The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has rolled out the distribution of incontinence supplies targeting at least 200 people with autism spectrum disorder and other related developmental disabilities in Kericho County.

The initiative, implemented under the Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Related Developmental Disabilities (ASD-RDD) Programme, seeks to ease the cost of essential supplies for affected individuals and their families, particularly those facing financial difficulties.

Kericho County Coordinator for Disability Services Hopkins Olasi said the council had identified about 200 families through a mapping exercise conducted before the programme’s implementation, although the number of eligible beneficiaries could be higher.

Olasi said the programme, which began in 2024, provides diapers and other incontinence products, therapy services and essential medicines to eligible beneficiaries, with support intended to continue annually.

He noted that acquiring incontinence supplies was a financial challenge for many families, making the council’s intervention important in helping them meet the daily care needs of their dependents.

The programme covers children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, epilepsy and other related developmental disabilities who require the specified support.

Olasi encouraged families whose members have the conditions covered by the programme but have not registered with the council to visit its Kericho office for mapping and registration to facilitate consideration for assistance.

Speaking to KNA, Ann Wambui, a resident of Nyagacho Estate on the outskirts of Kericho town, said the donated diapers would ease the cost of caring for her 14-year-old son, James Kariuki, who has a severe disability.

Wambui, who collected the supplies at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities office in Kericho, said the donation would meet her son’s needs for several weeks.

“Buying diapers from the shops is very expensive, and this donation will help us for the next few weeks. I am grateful to the council for supporting us,” she said.

In a separate initiative, the County Coordinator for Disability Services disclosed that NCPWD has partnered with KCB Foundation, Kenya Pipeline Foundation and Safaricom Foundation to identify learners with disabilities completing Grade Nine under the Junior School curriculum for possible sponsorship as they transition to Grade 10 in senior school.

Olasi said eligible learners would be considered for sponsorship based on their academic performance, with candidates expected to be meeting or exceeding the required learning expectations.

He added that successful applicants could attend schools of their choice, subject to submission of admission letters and fee structures to guide the determination of the sponsorship amounts.

The coordinator assured that the initiative was open to all eligible learners with disabilities in both special schools and mainstream institutions, with the partners expecting applications from across the county.

By Kibe Mburu