Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri has called on Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to publicly disclose the number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) employed in the county government since he assumed office.
Speaking during a briefing with the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, led by Chairperson Julius Murgor, Khatri questioned the governor’s commitment to inclusive employment, saying the issue was not just about social justice but a constitutional requirement.
“I find it disheartening to see individuals without disabilities celebrating achievements on social media, while persons with disabilities remain invisible and underrepresented,”
Khatri said.
According to the Constitution, at least 5 percent of jobs in both national and county governments should be reserved for PWDs. Khatri insisted that the county government must come clean and provide a list of disabled individuals currently serving in the administration.
“Employment is one of the core issues affecting persons with disabilities. It is only fair and transparent for the governor to furnish us with these figures,”
he emphasized.
The speaker contrasted the county government’s performance with that of the county assembly, which he said had already surpassed the constitutional 5 percent threshold. He highlighted efforts within his office to enhance accessibility, including personally funding the installation of a ramp to enable easier access to the assembly’s services for PWDs.
“We are also willing to collaborate with the national government to install lifts and other essential infrastructure to ensure persons with disabilities can access all services at the assembly,”
Khatri said, noting that any such initiative must align with standards approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
However, Khatri’s remarks also triggered debate about UNESCO’s guidelines themselves. Committee member Miraj Abdillahi called for a review of certain UNESCO regulations, claiming that some existing frameworks have hindered efforts to make public buildings more accessible.
“Some of these laws have become obstacles rather than facilitators of inclusion. We need to consider amendments that allow us to redesign and upgrade facilities to serve everyone, including persons with disabilities,”
Abdillahi said.
She urged residents of Mombasa to trust the Senate committee’s mission and assured them of its commitment to promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
The Senate committee’s fact-finding mission comes amid growing scrutiny over how county governments are addressing disability inclusion, particularly in employment and public service access.
