Tuesday, March 1, 2022

5 Moody Cruiser appropriate wheelchairs constructed by Association for the physically disabled of Kenya (APDK) were distributed to beneficiaries in the 4th International Wheelchair day marked at the University of Nairobi on Tuesday March 1, 2022.  

The University of Nairobi, Association for the physically disabled of Kenya (APDK), Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and National Fund of the Disabled of Kenya and other stakeholders joined the world in celebrating the International wheelchair day. This year’s theme was my wheelchair, my right to inclusion.

The chief Guest, Josephta Mukobe, PS, culture &Heritage, at the Ministry of sports, culture and heritage highlighted the importance of encouraging research towards the development of appropriate wheelchairs. The PS also expressed the government’s continued support to persons living with disability through the creation and implementation of legislation and policies. This she clarified that the government does through parastatals like the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

On her part Ms. Bright Oywaya, the Vice- Chairperson APDK, expressed the need for accessibility, affordability and appropriateness of wheelchairs in the country. This she expressed will help people living with disabilities access wheelchairs as a means of liberation and freedom.

While Prof. Stephen Kiama, the Vice –Chancellor, UoN emphasized the need to include everyone in the country’s development. He added that this could only be accomplished by ensuring that every person in the country who requires a wheelchair had one. ‘’Today as we celebrate this day, we acknowledge the fact that there are many people who would have done better if they had a wheelchair’’, remarked the VC in his keynote speech.

 He further noted that the University of Nairobi places a lot of importance on issues affecting persons with disability, especially in the university’s reform policy. ‘These steps are of importance in the university's vision of becoming a world-class university,’’ he acknowledged.

According to Dr. Kunda from the Ministry of Transport noted that the ministry recognizes wheelchairs as a mode of transportation. He invited all stakeholders to present suggestions they deemed important in the reforms being implemented under various policies by the Ministry.