Baringo County has recorded one of the highest numbers of persons living with disabilities, a situation largely attributed to snakebites, crocodile attacks, insecurity-related injuries, lifestyle diseases, and cerebral palsy among children.
Many of the affected individuals suffer from mobility challenges, significantly affecting their quality of life.
The situation is particularly dire among children living with disabilities. In many cases, parents hide or lock them inside their homes due to stigma and harmful cultural beliefs that perceive disability as a curse.
This has led to widespread neglect, denial of education, and social isolation of children with special needs across the county.
Baringo has for years been affected by banditry and insecurity, leaving many residents with permanent injuries.
Survivors of gunshot wounds have had their limbs amputated or have been permanently disabled by bullets.
Snakebites and crocodile attacks have also significantly contributed to the rising number of persons with disabilities, especially in Baringo North and Baringo South sub-counties.
Areas near Lake Baringo, which is heavily infested with crocodiles, continue to record frequent attacks that leave victims maimed or disabled.
Monicah Sunguna, a mother raising a child living with cerebral palsy, says many mothers in Baringo South suffer in silence due to poverty.
She notes that most families cannot afford assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, or therapy services required by children with different forms of disabilities.
Her sentiments were echoed by Lydia Kipruto, who called for increased community awareness to end stigma and discrimination against persons living with disabilities.
Amos Olempaka, a resident of Baringo South, says available statistics indicate that a significant number of people in the area are living with disabilities.
He has urged the county government to set aside a dedicated budget to support persons living with disabilities.
Michael Pentha, the founder of Hope and Mobility, says his personal experience as a person living with a disability has enabled him to understand the daily struggles faced by others.
Motivated by this need, he mobilized resources and raised funds to purchase wheelchairs and other assistive devices, benefiting more than 400 people across Baringo County.
He explained that the three-day outreach program aims to restore hope and dignity to people often forgotten by society.
Pentha also called upon churches to take a leading role in advocating for the rights and needs of persons living with disabilities.
Jack Muthui, the Executive Director of Hope Mobility, revealed that statistics show one in every ten people lives with a disability.
He added that Kenya has an annual need of approximately 100,000 wheelchairs, largely attributed to lifestyle diseases and aging.
Stakeholders are now calling for collaborative efforts involving the county government, national government, non-governmental organizations, churches, and communities to address stigma, improve access to assistive devices, and ensure persons living with disabilities in Baringo County live dignified and inclusive lives.
