Democracy success stories: Episode 3 (Kenya)
Democracy can solve the problems that matter to people, but it does not thrive on its own.
Inclusive and effective democracies are better at delivering services fairly, and investing in a future where everyone benefits.
Under our Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy programme, WFD supported the passage of a Disability Bill in Kakamega County, Kenya. The Kakamega County Persons with Disability Act, 2022 was passed by the County Assembly and assented by His Excellency the Governor in June 2022.
In this story, discover the difference it has made.
Discover the story
Hear from our partners in Kenya about how stronger democratic processes are helping to improve disability inclusion in this episode of our democracy success stories series.
The problem
In Kenya, there are at least one million people with disabilities (PWDs). But, like other places in the world, they are severely underrepresented and excluded from decision-making. For PWDs in Kakamega County, two issues were at the forefront of their minds: employment and access to public services.
The intervention
WFD worked with the Action Network for the Disabled (ANDY) in Kenya to help create a way for Members of the County Assembly in Kakamega, one of Kenya’s 47 counties, to meet people with disabilities (PWDs) and understand their ideas and concerns. WFD conducted trainings for disabled people's organisations (DPOs) and Members of the County Assembly on strategic communications and advocacy on issues of disability; and facilitated joint meetings between DPOs and disability caucuses.
The impact
The County Assembly drafted the Kakamega County Disability Bill which sought to address the inclusion and participation challenges faced by PWDs in Kenya. Disability issues, like employment and access to public services, are now more recognised - and some services have improved.
“We had no sign language interpreters in our general hospitals and PWDs would go unattended to until we started this process of drafting the disability bill. There are now sign language interpreters in all general hospitals in Kakamega county.” said the Hon Auxillia, a champion of the disability bill and a former member of Kakamega County Assembly.
Members of the disability caucus pointed out that before the bill was drafted, PWDs could not access the public gallery of the County Assembly and the Office of the Governor as there we no ramps and elevators available.
Moreover, the representation of people with disabilities has improved. PWDs like Lucy Mulombi were appointed to different committees to represent the issues of PWDS.
‘’I was a simple rural teacher, who was not recognized in the community until this programme’’ said Lucy Mulombi. ‘’I am now a member of Kakamega county budgetary economic forum...chaired by the governor himself’.’
Democracy success stories
This episode is part of our democracy success stories, a series of videos produced under our #DemocracyCan campaign that illustrate how democracy can solve the problems that matter to people and address global challenges.