GIVE THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS A MINISTRY

It's nice to be sensitive to other peoples plight but the current euphemisms used on people with special needs such as "mentally challenged", "visually impaired", "physically challenged", etc are mere tokenism terms that most probably may have been coined by some people with ulterior motives  for  taking undue advantage of those afflicted. The best way, in my opinion, to give these citizens due respect and recognition is to create a fully fledged government ministry to cater for them. The former President Daniel Moi was known for his erratic rhetoric such as his claim to love women, children and those with special needs. Fine, he did his bit here and there but there is very little to show after all those years. For instance, he did set up a  fund for those with special needs which he staffed with his cronies leading to lethargy and inactivity. The present government helped pass an Act of Parliament that was meant to cater for those with special needs but this has not gone beyond the statute books. When you look closely at our public buildings, roads, and transport systems, you will notice that there is nothing to point to a concerted effort by a concerned government for the welfare of  this class of citizens. Perhaps, it's now time this large constituency (5-10% of the population) used their collective bargaining power to demand their rights. But unfortunately, over the years, they have been so marginalized through exclusion from education, health care, employment, government and politics such that they are  mere destitutes. As we embark on the implementation of the new constitution, it is imperative that a new ministry be created specifically to serve those among us with special needs. It will be important that it  be staffed only with those with special needs to make it respectful, purposeful and responsive. In fact I find it shameful that our  mothers who have given birth to these people are at the forefront in the fight for affirmative action for their selfish needs at the expense of these far more deserving citizens. Let's hope that voices of reason will prevail as we continue with our discrete meetings of apportioning political seats in the Counties, Senate and the National Assembly. There is need to think beyond our comfort zones and reach out for people with special needs who are by no means second class citizens or children of a lesser God.