By Betty Luke
More than 60 Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Isiolo County have benefited with wheelchair and walking devices from Isiolo North MP hopeful Mwenda Thuranira in the last six months.
The beneficiaries include 14 children who previously encountered challenges occasioned by accidents and different illnesses that hampered their mobility with latest recipients being a group of four adults who received the customized devices last week.
Among them is 86-year-old Halakhe Dida who had been reduced to a beggar because he could not walk on his own but was elated after receiving the wheelchair which will enhance his mobility.
“The device will greatly help me move from one place to another which has been impossible,” he said.
Mr Jonathan Mukaria said he had not been able to walk for a period of two years after suffering arthritis but was happy for the donation.
Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and tenderness of one or more joints causing stiffness and joint pain which worsens with age.
“I have not been able to walk without support for the last two years. I had to rely on people to support me and incase there is no one around, I would stay seated for long hours,” said Mr Mukaria.
Another beneficiary, Ms Rahma Abdi used to carry her 10-year-old Pre-Primary daughter to school as she could not afford to purchase a wheelchair.
Ms Abdi, who was among a team of four beneficiaries in May this year said it was a great relief as her child was comfortably attending school.
“It is a huge relief because I have been carrying him to and from school every day since I cannot afford daily transport,” she said during a previous interview with The Press Point.
Ms Lillian Karimi from Bulapesa ward who had withdrawn her physically challenged 10-year-old grandson from school a week after enrolment for lack of a walking device was also assisted by the businessman-cum-politician.
“I withdrew him after realizing the struggle he was going through while in school but I will take him back because he can now use the wheelchair,” Ms Karimi recently said.
Mr Thuranira said he intends to reach out to all PWDs within the constituency who had been neglected by the local elected leaders.
“We have also gotten assistive devices for a few with hearing impairment and we are on a mission to eradicate immobility for PWDs in Isiolo,” Mr Thuranira told The Press Point.
