EMPOWERING VULNERABLE LIVES THROUGH COORDINATING GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS.
Story by SDPS Public Communications Unit
During an official field assignment in Vihiga County, Principal Secretary Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya encountered a vulnerable young girl who is deaf and non-verbal. Owing to communication barriers at the time, the PS undertook to follow up on the case.
Upon her return, a detailed assessment revealed that the girl is an orphan, a young mother, and living in a dilapidated house under extremely vulnerable conditions, with limited social support. In response, the PS adopted a structured and sustainable approach focused on empowering the girl through life skills development to enhance her long-term self-reliance.
To implement this intervention, the PS engaged Dr. Willis Ombima, Head of the Psychology and Wellness Directorate, who coordinated a comprehensive five-point action plan:
1. Disability Assessment and Registration
The girl underwent medical assessment at Kapsabet Referral Hospital, which confirmed a profound hearing impairment. While early detection may have improved her condition, she now requires hearing aids. She has since been successfully registered with the United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK) and the Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD), with follow-up underway to facilitate access to assistive hearing devices.
2. Education and Skills Gap Assessment
It was established that the girl dropped out of school in Standard 7 following the loss of her parents, limiting her access to formal employment opportunities and effective communication.
3. Strengthening Social Support Systems
Although she receives minimal support from a relative, the assessment highlighted the need for structured and sustained intervention to address her socio-economic vulnerabilities.
4. Technical Skills Development
She has since been enrolled at St. Joseph Nyagoma Technical Training Institute, where she is undertaking training in tailoring alongside sign language to enhance her communication abilities. The programme is delivered under the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) curriculum, which accommodates her academic background and equips her with practical, marketable skills.
5. Social Health Coverage
The girl has been registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with arrangements underway to facilitate settlement of the required annual contribution.
The intervention has been realized through a collaborative effort involving various government institutions and local administration, including the Deputy County Commissioner for Tiriki East. Notably, initial financial support for the girl’s needs was provided personally by the PS, while officers within the Psychology and Wellness Directorate made voluntary contributions towards her tuition, training materials, and personal effects.
This initiative reflects a strong commitment to public service values, underscoring the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and collective responsibility in addressing the needs of vulnerable members of society. It also demonstrates the transformative impact of coordinated government action in restoring dignity, enhancing opportunity, and securing a better future for both the young girl and her child.