Persons With Disabilities want nomination fees out

Persons with disabilities (PWDs)  asked the electoral commission to scrap off nominations fees to allow them participate in the coming general elections.

They further stated that the relationship between poverty and disability should be recognized by the commission, as increased costs would lead to withdrawal of good but poor candidates from contesting.

The newly published elections regulations by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), state that individuals seeking the presidency will be required to pay Sh1 million, senator  and governor Sh 500,000, parliamentary candidates Sh250, 000, county assembly representatives Sh50,000 and women representatives will pay Sh250,000.

Disability Affairs Secretary, Mwaura Isaac said that PWDs are being subjected to a lot of costs. He added that they face the most challenges in their campaign and should therefore be allocated more money.

“We pay IEBC, we pay the party, what will be left to ask for votes? We need more money for our campaigns. The amount given should be with regard to the disability of a person,” Insisted Mr Isaac.

The PWDs that represented various political parties accused the IEBC of trying to find a way to lock them out of parliament by making participating in the election expensive.

Mr Isaac said that the IEBC had already gained over 17 billion from tax and would get over sh5 billion from the nomination fee paid by aspirants.

“What is the money for? The constitution has for the first time given us a chance to vie, they are trying to take it away. We are tired of relatives of MPs representing us in parliament,” Mr Isaac said.

Addressing the press at a Nairobi hotel, the PWDs said that they are being subjected to economic discrimination and would on Tuesday present a petition; to waive the fees or have it reduced to less than Sh5000, to the IEBC, the parliament and the Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa.

Director Albinism and Empowerment network Mr Martin Wanyonyi, said that the IEBC deceived them by claiming to waive the fee for PWDs, women and the youth.

“They went behind our backs and put fees even after we agreed to take affirmative action on the matter. We were surprised. Contesting is our constitutional right,” Mr Wanyonyi said.

PWDs Ford Kenya member Abigail Ambiyo, alleged that politicians bring their disabled relatives and from abroad and endorse them for public positions.

“We will not allow people brought from abroad to take our positions. They do not know the hardships we go through. We are here, we want our positions,” said Mrs Ambiyo.