Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Tharaka-Nithi County have called for the decentralisation of disability assessment services and easier registration, saying the cost and distance involved in accessing the services continue to prevent some eligible people from benefiting from government support programmes.

The PWDs said those living in remote areas face difficulties travelling to designated assessment centres to obtain certification required to access government services and funds.

They also cited the cost of certification, healthcare challenges and inadequate support for caregivers as some of the issues affecting their welfare.

The concerns were raised during a meeting at Karamani in Magumoni Ward, where Christine Gatiria, who is seeking the Tharaka-Nithi Women Representative seat in the 2027 General Election, brought together members of six PWD groups from three locations to discuss challenges affecting persons with disabilities.

During the meeting, Gatiria donated foodstuffs to the participating PWD groups as part of her support to the beneficiaries.

She said registration and certification remained a major challenge for some PWDs, particularly because of the costs involved, adding that caregivers also faced difficulties when seeking assistance from government offices.

Gatiria called on leaders across Tharaka-Nithi to work with government agencies and PWD organisations to ensure persons with disabilities were identified and connected to available support programmes.

She also called for consideration of Social Health Authority (SHA) waivers and other appropriate interventions for vulnerable persons to ease the financial burden associated with accessing healthcare.

Gatiria urged relevant authorities to bring assessment services closer to communities, particularly in remote areas where persons with disabilities face difficulties travelling to designated centres.

“It is high time persons with disabilities were remembered and given the attention and support they deserve,” she said.

Karamani PWDs Chairman Charles Gitonga said caregivers faced numerous challenges while supporting persons with disabilities, particularly those who were completely dependent on others.

Gitonga called on government representatives to ensure disability funds and other support programmes reached the intended beneficiaries.

He said some PWDs were missing out on assistance and urged authorities to strengthen mechanisms for identifying beneficiaries and ensuring that support reached them.

Gitonga said the distance to assessment centres remained a major obstacle, particularly for people living in interior areas.

He said some PWDs had to travel long distances to access assessment services despite facing mobility and financial challenges.

“Some people have to travel far for assessment, and when you consider their condition and the cost of transport, accessing the service becomes a challenge,” Gitonga said.

Another PWD representative, Lucy Mutwiri, said some persons with disabilities felt neglected and were concerned that funds intended to support them did not always reach the intended beneficiaries.

Mutwiri called for greater involvement of PWD representatives in implementing and monitoring disability programmes to ensure challenges affecting people at the grassroots were identified and addressed.

She said improved access to registration, assessment, healthcare and government support would enable more persons with disabilities to benefit from existing programmes.

The meeting brought together representatives of six PWD groups drawn from three locations in Magumoni Ward.

By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori