Social Inclusion of People Living With Disabilities, Youth and Women (KENDC0005)

Commitment ID

KENDC0005

Commitment Title

Social Inclusion of People Living With Disabilities, Youth and Women

Problem

The commitment on social inclusion of persons living with disabilities (PLWDs), youth, and women seeks to resolve systemic exclusion and inequitable access to public resources, opportunities, and decision-making platforms. Economically, these groups often face high unemployment, limited access to county procurement opportunities, and underrepresentation in economic empowerment programs, leading to persistent poverty and dependency.

Socially, barriers such as discrimination, inaccessible infrastructure, and lack of inclusive communication tools hinder their participation in public life and access to essential services. Politically, tokenistic engagement and lack of representation in governance structures result in policies and budgets that do not adequately reflect their needs or priorities.

This exclusion undermines inclusive development, violates constitutional rights, and perpetuates inequality. The commitment aims to create structured, resourced, and accountable mechanisms for inclusion in planning, budgeting, and implementation—ensuring these groups are not just consulted, but empowered to influence and benefit equitably from government programs.

Status quo

In Nandi County, despite supportive constitutional and policy frameworks, women, youth, and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) remain underrepresented in public decision-making, under-served in economic empowerment programs, and excluded from equitable service delivery. For instance, less than 30% of participants in county public participation forums are women or youth, and only 18% report meaningful inclusion of PWDs. Economic inclusion is similarly limited, with fewer than 25% of youth and women-led enterprises accessing county procurement or development funds.

While the county has passed progressive legislation such as the Equitable Development Act and policies supporting affirmative action, implementation remains fragmented. Disability and youth desks exist but are often underfunded and lack influence in core decision-making spaces. Many target beneficiaries are unaware of available programs, while limited disaggregated data hampers effective planning and evaluation.

Some initiatives—such as targeted bursaries and affirmative procurement—have had positive impact, but they are not sufficiently institutionalized or scaled. The lack of structured feedback loops, inclusive monitoring frameworks, and dedicated budget lines continues to hinder lasting progress. This commitment seeks to address these systemic challenges by strengthening inclusion frameworks, ensuring dedicated funding, and institutionalizing mechanisms for ongoing engagement and accountability.

Action

The commitment on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Youth, and Women:

• Commitment Focus: Promote inclusive governance, service delivery, and economic empowerment for PWDs, youth, and women in Nandi County.

• Problem Addressed: Despite policy provisions, systemic exclusion persists due to weak implementation, lack of disaggregated data, limited participation, and budgetary constraints.

• Key Interventions:

  • Develop and enforce inclusive participation guidelines across all departments.

  • Strengthen youth, gender, and disability focal desks and their role in planning and monitoring.

  • Launch civic education and outreach programs targeting PWDs, youth, and women.

  • Allocate dedicated budget lines for inclusive programs and affirmative procurement.

  • Institutionalize data disaggregation to inform inclusive policy-making and services.

  • Introduce inclusive monitoring tools such as social accountability scorecards.

• Expected Results:

  • Increased participation in public processes: 50% youth, 40% women, and 20% PWDs.

  • Greater access to economic opportunities through grants and tenders.

  • Improved planning and accountability based on inclusive data and scorecards.

• Overall Objective: Institutionalize inclusive governance practices to ensure fair access, representation, and equitable development for all marginalized groups in Nandi County.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

The commitment will address systemic exclusion of PWDs, youth, and women by embedding inclusive practices in governance, service delivery, and development planning. It seeks to dismantle structural barriers—such as limited access to information, underrepresentation, and lack of economic inclusion—through targeted reforms that prioritize equity and participation.

By enforcing inclusive participation guidelines, marginalized groups will be actively engaged in decision-making processes, ensuring their voices shape county priorities. Strengthening gender, youth, and disability focal desks will institutionalize representation and accountability across departments. Civic education will empower communities to understand their rights, while data disaggregation will guide equitable planning and monitoring.

Expected Outputs:

• Participation guidelines adopted and implemented in all departments

• 30 inclusive civic education forums conducted across the county

• Budget lines created for inclusion programs and affirmative procurement

• Disaggregated data system integrated into planning tools

• Social accountability scorecards used to track inclusivity in service delivery

Expected Outcomes:

• 50% youth, 40% women, and 20% PWD participation in public processes

• Increased funding and opportunities for marginalized groups

• Improved accountability and service equity, reducing exclusion across sectors

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The long-term goal in Nandi County’s Open Government Strategy that this commitment on social inclusion relates to is: “To promote inclusive governance by ensuring equitable participation, representation, and access to public resources and decision-making processes for all, particularly marginalized and vulnerable populations.”

This commitment aligns with the county’s broader ambition to institutionalize participatory governance and ensure that no segment of the population is left behind. Historically, PWDs, youth, and women have faced economic, social, and political marginalization due to structural barriers, inadequate representation, and limited access to opportunities and information. By embedding inclusive policies and practices across county operations, the government seeks to dismantle these systemic challenges and create an enabling environment for these groups to thrive.

The commitment supports the realization of this long-term goal by establishing inclusive public participation frameworks, disability-friendly infrastructure, accessible information platforms, and targeted programs that respond to the unique needs of these groups. It also emphasizes co-creation of policies and services with affected communities to ensure relevance and sustainability. Ultimately, the goal is to build a more inclusive, responsive, and people-centered county government that reflects the diverse aspirations of its entire population.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Inclusion

Primary Sector

Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?