NAIROBI: Majority of Kenyans have no problem getting married to a person living with a disability as revealed in a new survey. However, the survey by Twaweza has also shown that four out of ten Kenyans shy away from helping Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) as they are considered a financial burden with another 22 per cent considering them as less productive individuals. According to the survey published July 25, at least eight out of ten Kenyans (85 per cent) expressed their willingness in getting married to someone with a disability. This view was supported with 80 per cent reporting that PLWD have equal opportunities and entitled to the same rights like any other Kenyan. The survey however noted of a disturbing conflict of views among Kenyans. READ MORE Battered woman remained in abusive marriage to protect vows Group behind glimmer at Uasin Gishu Headquarters 'I may be disabled but I am still able' From the statistics given, disability on limbs was cited as major by majority of respondents (44 per cent) followed by epilepsy(17), those who cannot care for themselves(17), sight(15), hearing(14), dumb(13), cognitive difficulties(10), and speech impaired(10). "On one hand 80 per cent report that PLWD have the same rights as everyone. But on the other hand, 75 per cent report that PLWD need special care, 36 per cent see them as a financial burden, and 22 per cent consider people with disabilities as less productive," read the report in part. It added: "Even more concerning is that 11 per cent of Kenyans see PLWD as getting in their way and 10 per cent see them as a source of discomfort." It is therefore no surprise that a significant number of Kenyans reported that children in their community with disabilities are not in school. "At primary level, three out of 10 citizens (31 per cent) reported this while at secondary level, an overwhelming 73 per cent of citizens say that children with disability in their communities are not in school," read the report. Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) Secretary General James Torome noted that special needs children are not only constrained by lack of funds and distance to schools. "...but also spend most of their time in and out of hospitals seeking specialized care. It is no surprise parents and society at large sees them as a hindrance to their main daily duties," said Torome. He added that institutions handling these children are not well funded and equipped. "Education assessment research centres should be fully funded and have the ability to, identity, placement, and keep the data of children with disability for proper intervention," said Torome. About five per cent of Kenya's population comprises of PLWD accounting for almost two million people. Half of this population is made up of school going children.

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