By TIMOTHY MUGO

People living with disability (PLWD) in Migori have benefited from the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) assorted equipment aimed at improving their livelihoods.

The PLWD were issued with different sets of equipment from the National fund through the nationwide yearly initiative.

The NFDK issued ox drawn ploughs, welding machines, sewing machines, knap sack sprayer, two jembes among other farming equipment.

The exercise that was conducted in the County cost the National fund shs. 2.5 million benefited 105 individuals from all over the county.

Speaking in Uriri during the distribution exercise of the equipment the National Fund Assistant Programs Manager Benard Ajuda said that the government has set aside shs.200 million toward the initiative.

“Our main aim is to see that people living with disability are economically empowered by generating income from the various assorted equipment they receive,” Ajuda said.

Ajuda said that the government is targeting all people living with disability and urged them to come forward and benefit.

“These are items the PLWD applied for, and this is done at the Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) office procedurally by filling in forms,” he said.

He said that everybody applied for equipment they felt could empower them economically.

The Assistant Programs Manager said that PLWD have the right to lead lives as other Kenyans and not be viewed and
dependents to their families.

Francis Mugita, a PLWD from Bware, South Kanyamkago Ward, who benefited a welding machine, expressed optimism in the initiative saying it was going to change his life.

Mugita who has been making applications since 1999 said he has knowhow in welding but was hiring machines from other welders.

He said that he has two sons who are set to join University this year and was at cross-road on where to get funds to finance their education.

“One has already gotten his letter but I hope I will have generated some income using this machine by the time they will be reporting,” Mugita said.

The exercise was conducted at sub-county headquarters through the office of the DCC.