This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable members of society, including persons with disabilities, are bearing the brunt of the trauma.
According to Joseph Atela, Executive Director of the Disabled Empowerment Society of Kenya, persons with disabilities are struggling to adapt to the new normal, with visually impaired individuals facing the highest risk of contracting the virus.
"The visually impaired bear the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 as they depend on the sense of touch, which means they have to touch surfaces that are highly discouraged during this period," Atela said in an interview.
Atela noted that most people with disabilities live in informal settlements, which poses a higher risk for them contracting the infection.
"The main challenge my organization is facing now is providing persons with disabilities with sanitizers and masks since most of them cannot afford to buy them," Atela observed.
George Musyoka and Christine Anyango, both visually impaired and living in Korogocho slums, shared their stories of despair and struggle in their daily hustle to put food on the table.
Christine, who was not born blind but was later diagnosed with diabetes, said staying at home is not an option for her since she has to go beg in the streets for something to eat.
"Most of the time I do not even wear a mask... I don’t even know what a sanitizer is... the little I get I spend on food," she said.
George Musyoka, who lives alone, bemoaned the difficulties of staying home to avoid contracting COVID-19, as he has to perform odd jobs to eke a living.
"Although I’m at risk of contracting the virus because of touching many surfaces, I have to go out and fend for myself... No one will remember there is a disabled person somewhere and bring me food," he said.
