BY SHABAN OMAR
The Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP), in collaboration with the Kwale County Department of Health, has launched a mass registration drive for persons with disabilities (PWDs), aimed at enhancing their visibility and inclusion in development planning.
The initiative, rolled out across all wards in the county, seeks to collect accurate data on the number and specific needs of people living with disabilities.
MWARP County Project Coordinator Mwalimu Ali said the exercise is vital in helping both national and county governments craft inclusive policies, budgets, and programs that cater to PWDs.
“The drive is about visibility, inclusion, and justice and this exercise is a step towards addressing that,” he said.
Ali made the remarks during the mass registration drive for persons with disabilities at Tiwi Sokoni in Matuga sub-county.
The registration involves open community forums, and partnerships with local leaders to reach even those in remote areas.
According to Ali, the exercise is timely and aligns with the national government’s recent directive to replace disability cards with certificates to verify genuine beneficiaries and clean up the system.
Ali noted that the government’s move left many PWDs uncertain, especially those who relied on the outdated cards to access healthcare, tax exemptions, and assistive devices.
He said the fresh registration will not only ease that confusion but also ensure that support is directed where it’s truly needed.
“This is a grassroots effort. We’re conducting needs assessments and medical evaluations on-site to ensure no one is left out,” he said.
He urged local administrators and village elders to support the initiative by identifying and helping register people with severe or hidden disabilities who may not be able to travel.
Occupational therapist Erick Abong’o from Kwale County Hospital praised the turnout, revealing that many residents reported eye complications, particularly those linked to untreated glaucoma.
Abong’o urged communities to prioritize routine health screenings and called for more outreach programs to identify undiagnosed cases before they worsen.
Occupational Therapist Dr. Erick Abongo attends to some patients during the PWDs Mass registration at Tiwi in Matuga sub-county, Kwale County on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
“There are largely preventable conditions but due to limited awareness and lack of regular checkups, people seek help only when it’s too late,” he said.
For Saum Mohamed, a physically impaired resident, the initiative offers hope.
“With proper data and representation, we can finally access empowerment programs designed for us,” She said.
She added that for too long, persons with disabilities have been sidelined due to a lack of proper documentation, and lauded the exercise as the beginning of real, meaningful change.
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