Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah/HANDOUT

Atellah made the commitment during the Disability Inclusive Employment Summit 2026 organised by Riziki Source, where he called for the full implementation of constitutional provisions guaranteeing the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

He said his decision to seek elective office was driven by the need to have disability inclusion, workers' rights and social justice prioritised in Parliament and other government institutions.

The doctors' union boss argued that employing persons with disabilities should not be viewed as an act of charity or goodwill by employers but rather as a fundamental right that must be protected.

"Decent work is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. But when we hear conversations every day about the inclusion of persons with disabilities, it always comes as an act of charity," Atellah said.

He challenged public and private sector employers to provide persons with disabilities with equal employment opportunities, fair working conditions and an enabling environment to participate fully in the labour market.

Atellah expressed concern that despite constitutional and statutory provisions protecting persons with disabilities, their implementation remained inadequate, particularly in employment.

He called for greater accountability among employers and government institutions to ensure disability inclusion commitments translate into tangible opportunities.

Drawing from his experience negotiating with the government and advocating for doctors' welfare, Atellah said political representation was necessary to secure lasting policy changes.

He noted that trade unions had historically relied on collective action, including strikes, demonstrations and sit-ins, to push for workers' rights, urging persons with disabilities and advocacy organisations to adopt a united approach in demanding workplace dignity.

He said his proposed parliamentary agenda would prioritise equity, stronger legislation and budgetary allocations to support disability inclusion.

Atellah further maintained that persons with disabilities needed direct representation in decision-making platforms to ensure their concerns were adequately addressed.

He said he would seek to ensure that employment opportunities for persons with disabilities were treated as an enforceable right rather than a favour granted at the discretion of employers.