People With Disabilities (PWDs) take part in beach activities during the Disability With Ability (DIWA)- Disability Inclusion Fun day at Vidazini public beach in Kilifi town, Kilifi County that was organized by the Disability With Ability (DIWA) and Basic Needs organizations. Photo by Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti.
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kilifi County have urged both the national and county governments to prioritize their inclusion in the blue economy, citing limited access to opportunities that could enable them to earn a livelihood from marine resources.
The appeal was made during a beach fun day for PWDs held at Vidazini Beach in Kilifi Town, organized by Disability With Ability (DIWA) in partnership with Basic Needs. Participants, led by DIWA Director Susan Kitheka and disability rights advocate Samuel Chimera, highlighted systemic barriers that continue to lock them out of coastal economic activities.
Kitheka noted that despite an estimated 3,000 PWDs living in Kilifi County, many remain unable to venture into fishing and other sea-related enterprises due to the lack of disability-friendly infrastructure and support systems.
“We have the interest and capacity to participate in the blue economy, but the absence of accessible facilities continues to exclude us,” she said.
Chimera faulted existing beach management plans, saying they fail to incorporate the needs of PWDs, thereby widening the gap in their participation.
“The government has not adequately factored in accessibility in its planning. This has left many of us sidelined despite the potential opportunities available along the coast,” he said.
Kilifi County National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Coordinator Mathias Tsuma acknowledged progress in legislative recognition of PWDs but expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation.
“While Kenya has made significant strides in enacting laws that protect and recognize persons with disabilities, enforcement remains a challenge. More needs to be done to translate policy into action,” Tsuma said.
He also encouraged PWDs to register with both national and county authorities to enhance their visibility and inclusion in policy formulation and program implementation.
The stakeholders called for urgent measures to improve accessibility at beaches and to ensure that PWDs are actively integrated into the growing blue economy sector.
