Lamu County Assembly during a past session.[Photo/ barakafm.org]
Persons Living with Disabilities in Lamu County have cried foul over the recent nomination of candidates to the county assembly.Led by Lamu Disabled Persons chairperson Simon Njagi, the members said the nominations were biased as they were sidelined during the exercise.They said they expected at least two slots to be reserved for disabled persons, which did not happen. The 16 candidates who were nominated to the Lamu County Assembly were sworn in on Tuesday.Njagi said they feel betrayed because they had met with Governor Fahim Twaha who had assured them they will be represented, Baraka FM reports. He said disabled persons are skilled and talented and have the ability to take on different roles in the county.“We are people who have also gone to school and acquired various skills. We can work just like any other person out there. We can deliver. We should be appointed so that we also get an opportunity to serve and feel like we are part of the lot. Why they keep leaving us out is something only they know, or maybe they pity us and think we are useless and can’t do anything,” said Njagi, as quoted by the daily.Njagi, however, said all is not lost for persons living with disabilities, adding that the county boss should consider them in the appointment of county executives.He further called upon the county government to ensure public offices are fitted with equipment for persons living with disabilities.