The Speaker of the County Assembly of Machakos and Acting Chair of the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), Hon. Anne Kiusya, today presided over the opening of the 5th Annual Legislative Pre-Summit for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at The Edge Hotel & Convention Centre in Nairobi.
Themed “Advancing Accountability: Empowering Legislators with Disabilities for Effective Oversight and Representation,” the Pre-Summit has convened Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) living with disabilities, CAF leadership, disability rights advocates, and pro-PWD legislative policy experts from across the country. The forum serves as a platform to discuss policies, legislative gaps, and strategies aimed at strengthening the role of PWD legislators in governance and ensuring their full participation in decision-making processes.
Hon. Kiusya Calls for Enhanced Inclusion in Governance
In her keynote address, Hon. Kiusya commended various County Assemblies for their efforts in disability mainstreaming, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance. She emphasized that persons with disabilities must be fully integrated into leadership, policy formulation, and oversight roles, ensuring their voices are heard in all levels of government.
"We must continue to break barriers and create an inclusive society where every leader, regardless of physical ability, has equal opportunities to serve. Persons with disabilities are abled differently, and their contributions to legislation and governance are invaluable," she stated.
She further challenged both national and county governments to prioritize accessibility in public infrastructure, education, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Key Topics and Expected Outcomes
The three-day Pre-Summit, leading up to the official opening of the Annual Legislative Summit on Monday, 17th March 2025, will cover critical issues affecting legislators with disabilities. Some of the key discussions will include:
Strengthening laws and policies to enhance disability rights.
Addressing accessibility challenges in County Assemblies and public institutions.
Ensuring effective participation of PWDs in governance and legislative processes.
Reviewing progress made in implementing disability inclusion policies across counties.
The forum is expected to produce key resolutions that will be tabled during the main Legislative Summit, forming part of the broader national conversation on disability inclusion and governance reforms.
The event has been attended by leaders from various County Assemblies, representatives from disability advocacy groups, and government officials working on disability affairs.
As the discussions progress, stakeholders remain optimistic that this summit will lead to greater representation, policy enhancements, and stronger accountability mechanisms for persons with disabilities in leadership.
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