Challenges Associated with Disability in Kakamega County

Abstract

There have been cases of discrimination evidenced in access to meaningful participation in many activities in societies where people with disabilities live. Although, the Kenyan constitution enshrined the rights of persons with disabilities, socio- cultural beliefs and negative perceptions have continued to be a barrier to the freedom of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities have continued to experience challenges including being locked up and denied access into the public domain. In Kakamega, names such as lifokhoyo, lindonde, musiru and shiyingwa are used to refer to people with disabilities. The Church as the voice of the state is to advice or assist the government on the way forward on how the rights of people with disabilities can be protected. It’s from this background that, this study sought to examine the ability of the Church to mitigate on the rights of persons living with disabilities against the social cultural beliefs and perceptions on disability. The study was carried out in Kakamega County to investigate challenges associated with disability. The study employed the social discrimination theory whose proponent is T. Billet 2009. The research adopted a descriptive research design. The research was carried out from 6 sub counties who were purposively sampled to represent Kakamega County. The research had a target population of 264 respondents who were purposively sampled from the 6 sub counties in Kakamega County. The research employed qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Oral interviews, Focused group discussion, questionnaires and observation methods were utilized to collect primary data and secondary data derived from text books, manuals, journals, articles, government records and newsletters which formed the literature review for the study. Research findings revealed that misinterpretation of biblical texts together with the socio-cultural beliefs and perception on disability have continued to be a barrier to a achieve disability rights in Kakamega County. This study therefore recommended that a team of religious professionals including theologians with a wide experience should come up with strategies on how to correct these biblical texts and provide knowledge and a clear understanding on disability.