Twenty-five women with disabilities from across Kajiado County are seeking a greater role in decisions on climate change, arguing that people living with disabilities must be involved in planning for disasters that often affect them differently.
The women gathered at the Chief’s Office in Lemelepo on September 18 for a community ambassadors training organised by Women of Hope Abled Differently (WHAD), with support from the ICCASA programme through its Strengthening the Voices of Women with Disability to Actively Participate in Climate Change Policy and Negotiations (STREVOW) project.
The training brought together women and girls with different disabilities, including acquired disabilities, as well as caregivers and representatives from government, community health, local leadership and civil society.
WHAD founder and team leader Halima Shariff Abdulkadir, who lives with multiple disabilities, said climate emergencies often expose gaps in preparedness and response systems that fail to account for people with disabilities.
“There is no talking about matters of persons with disability without persons with disability,” she said.
She cited the 2024 floods in Nguruman, Magadi Ward, where homes and farms were swept away and floodwaters altered paths, bridges and grazing routes.
For people with mobility challenges, such changes can make familiar routes impassable. Those with hearing or visual impairments may also face difficulties receiving warnings or accessing emergency assistance.
Trainer Stephen Omollo said the challenges could continue even after floodwaters recede, particularly where relief centres and distribution systems are not designed to accommodate people with different disabilities.
“For persons with disabilities, the disaster does not necessarily end when the water goes down,” he said.
The Lemelepo training focused on disaster preparedness, early warning systems, disability rights, climate financing and the role of community organisations in climate governance.
Participants said they were already experiencing changes linked to climate variability, including changing rainfall patterns, fodder shortages, water stress and flooding.
Halima said the training was intended to help women turn that experience into greater participation in climate decision-making.
“This is about training women to raise ambassadors for women with disabilities to claim and stand in the space, the table of climate change,” she said.
WHAD co-founder Simon Lemomo said women with disabilities wanted to participate in climate planning rather than only receive assistance after disasters.
“We are preparing to be at the table as planners, organisers and community leaders,” he said.
Senior Chief Duncan Lanet of Lemelepo Location said government structures should ensure people with disabilities are considered in climate preparedness and response.
“I am here as a representative of that statement, and to walk in solidarity with you as an assurance that you indeed have my support as a county and government representative, meaning what you will discuss here today will find its way to the respective chain of command,” he said.
With heavy rains expected, the women discussed practical measures they could take at household and community level, including clearing drainage areas, redirecting water away from homes, reinforcing animal sheds and houses, and storing clean water.
Peenoi Moroko, an elderly woman with a disability, said she had already begun preparing her home.
“I have done repairs on the animal sheds, erected a tank to collect water, and done repairs on the house. I’m very much prepared for El Niño,” she said.
Other participants said they were storing food, identifying safer ground and meeting points with neighbours, and ensuring medication and assistive devices could be accessed quickly during emergencies.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of making early warning information accessible to people with different disabilities.
Omollo said warnings should be provided in formats suited to different needs, including visual alerts for deaf people and audio information for people with visual impairments. People with mobility challenges may also require additional time and assistance to reach safety.
“Climate action should recognise people with disabilities not only as people requiring assistance, but also as planners, organisers and community leaders,” said Jennifer Angulu, a community health volunteer.
She urged chiefs, elders and community health workers to understand the needs of people with disabilities during emergencies and ensure disability is considered when mapping flood- and drought-prone areas and developing preparedness plans.
The women also discussed the County Climate Change Fund and Ward Climate Change Councils, with facilitators emphasising the need for people with disabilities to understand how climate decisions are made and how funds are allocated.
Alice Chepkemoi, who has a hearing impairment, called for greater support for community-based organisations working with people with disabilities, saying they can help take their concerns to decision-makers.
Chief Lanet encouraged participants to seek leadership positions from the grassroots level upwards, understand who represents them and hold their representatives accountable.
At the end of the training, each woman received indigenous tree seeds to plant at home or in her neighbourhood.
Halima said the activity was intended to show that women with disabilities could participate directly in climate action.
“Planting is not just about trees. It is about saying we are part of the solution,” she said.
The participants later signed an Ambassador Pledge committing themselves to knowing their rights, participating in decision-making, seeking accountability and supporting other people in their communities.