The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and persons with disabilities.
Depending who you might ask you will get a unique response.
Most importantly a decade ago in a music track “never, never give up”
I jotted some lyrics
“society inakuwa judged na vile inatreat the minority “check out the track here and be the judge.
in other words, changes for any particular course will never take place if you just live with normalcy.
Do not fear to ask pertinent issues.
Be the change that you may want generations to generations to have a legacy.
Sometimes it’s a painful process but mint to make you strong and be the diamond that abstains pressure.
Do you sometimes feel all alone in the world? Like you’ve been forsaken by the same persons whom you had the same expectation, vision or even to be in the journey?
In the disability sector of many low-income countries, we have lost heroes and heroines on the journey.
Rest in peace Rachael Gachache, geocache, Robert, Karanja, babra, and those who have gone to the table of judgement.
Never the less, those who have abandoned the revelation will be punished heavily.
Key lessons learnt:
When you have been invited in the table do not forget those who you left behind.
We can’t be on the table at the same time. But this is not to say you can’t spread a helping hand to the largest minority.
Most importantly, a person with disability one is forced by the society to perform more than four times than the persons who is yet to be disabled.
If you may not perform your goose is cooked.
On the other hand, persons with disabilities will also have higher expectations of you and believe you will open greater doors for them.
The new sharif in the disability sector is here with us.
All eyes, ears, legs and mind are now on the new sharif in town.
Will the services targeting the majority persons with disabilties be easily, effective and accessible in a timely manner?
For instance, acquiring the disability card, exemption certificate etc.
As a public policy scholar, I opine execution of regulations,
policies and legislation will require a consultative effort and all stakeholders should maximize and ensure they play their roles.
As stipulated in the UNCRPD, PWD act 2003 for the sharif in town to succeed he will need to ensure greater engagement and participation of persons with disabilities and the organizations of persons with disabilities.
The message to the sharif “you hold the disability lock and there are many keys to open the gate “let it not be business as usual.
Secondly, for organizations of persons with disabilities you have to live with the promise of ensuring accountability and transparency of the duty bearers and ensuring unity of purpose.
A day will come when 5 % of appointments by government will be automatic and many of persons with disabilities will get a fair chance to show their abilities.
All what we need is actualization of affirmative action for social justice to be achieved.
Many have qualified but those we sent to represent us have eaten the fish and the rod. The disability movement should stop celebrating the bread crumb of 2013 we are in 2021 where disability has become a cross cutting agenda.
Fortunately, the opening up of mainstream and social media has greatly enhanced the vital voices of persons with disabilities.
This is not like during our days when we were being chased away another story of another day.
So, when the current crop of persons with disabilities appears easily in the media know that sacrifices were made.
What can be done?
With the robust increase of the disability public spaces more strategic advocacy and advisory efforts should be put in place. There is nothing wrong by the civil societies, national gender commission, the 2 umbrella organizations call on the government to ensure representation counts!
For example, it’s on record in the recent appointments by president Uhuru no single person with a disability has been appointed as the cabinet administrative secretary!
What is the message the disability sector is sending by the deep silence?
Do you mean we are not visible enough?
When is the next press conference on this?
As an inclusive communication specialist and owner of disability sausage YouTube channel we haven’t received any invite!
For this and much more soon to be aired in your houses,
You can join as we interrogate what works and why it’s not working.
will prepare to join the chewing of disability sausage in your favorite TV channel.
The views expressed here are for the author and do not represent any agency or organization.
Mugambi Paul is a public policy, diversity, inclusion and sustainability expert.
Australian Chief Minister Award winner
“excellence of making inclusion happen”