Fake beggars who have been soliciting for money from members of the public in the streets of Thika town in the pretense that they were disabled have been warned that their days are numbered. Thika West Deputy County Commissioner Mbogo Mathioya said the town has over the month seen an influx in the number of beggars with some making a fortune out of unsuspecting passersby. Speaking when he joined officials from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Kenya (NPDK) in Thika town Saturday, the DCC warned that his office would not hesitate to take action on such characters adding that they would intensify crackdowns to remove them from the streets. This comes as a recent crackdown on disabled persons in the town revealed that most of them lived normally with some running for their dear lives when given a chase by the police. ‘We know most of the beggars on the streets of Thika town pretending to be disabled are normal. Some revealed that they make more than Sh300, 000 monthly from begging. This will not be entertained henceforth,’ warned Mbogo. Mbogo at the same time cautioned beneficiaries of the trade tools against selling them saying they would help empower them to earn a living. ‘There are still people with the audacity of selling the tools once they receive from the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK). Don’t sell these tools. They will help empower you to earn a living,’ he said. NFDK chairperson Prof Julia Ojiambo urged the beneficiaries to use the tools for the intended purpose to better their lives. She said their office has received reports that some of them sell the items at a throwaway price to get quick cash instead of using them to change their lives. Among the items donated included farming tools, digital cameras, salon and beauty tools, carpentry, welding machines, tailoring sewing machines, wheelchairs, walking sticks and crutches. She said the government has committed itself to ensuring that PWDs live better lives through funding of their business initiatives and the provision of mobility assistance devices. Prof Ojiambo urged PWDs to apply for a disability membership card, advising them to get the application forms at Social Protection offices. She implored the importance for disabled persons to possess disability identification cards saying one enjoys a variety of privileges, opportunities and services provided by the government and during social gatherings. She at the same time expressed satisfaction that people with disability have competed with the other Kenyans and filled elective offices other than when they relied on nominations.
Source: Kenya News Agency