Daily Nation – Nairobi, Kenya:

The physically and mentally challenged persons are quite diverse in degree and type of disability and ability to grapple with their environmental challenges.

They are also so scattered all over the country that it is difficult for them to come together to form a single national body to represent them.

But of late, some persons with disabilities have fronted themselves in the news media claiming to be bona fide national representatives of persons with disabilities, possibly with anticipation that they might be nominated to Parliament next year.

These people are impostors and opportunists who have taken advantage of their proximity to the news media and the seat of government in Nairobi.

Persons with disabilities need a well-structured organisation similar to the Kenya National Teachers Union to represent their interests.

Unfortunately, persons with disabilities at the grassroots level do not have finance, structures and the logistics through which to realise the above.

BILLY O’WABUCHELI,
Bukura
24 December 2007
Daily Nation