KITUI — In Kitui County, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025 was not marked as a ceremonial obligation, but as a deliberate statement of values. From the streets of the town to reflective policy dialogue, the day unfolded with clarity of purpose: disability inclusion is not an act of charity, but a matter of justice, dignity and sustainable development.
The commemoration, led by County Executive Committee Member Madam Phoebe Mutemi on behalf of the Governor and supported by county leaders, development partners and disability rights advocates, brought together voices that are too often excluded from development conversations. Through a public procession, tree planting exercise and an open dialogue forum, Kitui positioned inclusion not as an afterthought, but as a central pillar of governance.
A reflective dialogue session that followed brought to the fore the lived realities of persons with disabilities, including persistent barriers in access, infrastructure and economic opportunity. Speakers emphasised that inclusive governance must be intentional, informed by data and backed by adequate budgets.
The central message of the day was unequivocal: disability inclusion is about justice, dignity and equal participation. As Kitui aligns county development priorities with constitutional values, leaders and advocates called for sustained action to ensure that no one is left behind.
