Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Persons Living with Disabilities on Governments’ Poverty Alleviation Strategies in Transmara- West Sub County, Narok County, Kenya
Date
2022-08
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of persons living with disabilities
(PLWDs) in Transmara-West sub-county, Narok County on governments’ poverty alleviation
strategies. The study's goals were to document PLWDs' actual experiences with services for job,
education, and healthcare. The study was anchored on economic empowerment and social theories
of disability. The study employed a qualitative phenomenology research design. The target
population was PLWDs in Transmara West Sub-County. Non-probability sampling, specifically,
snowball sampling was employed in the study to select three visually impaired and nine physically
challenged persons and data was collected until data saturation was reached. An interview guide
and an observation checklist were used in collecting data. The data was analyzed using thematic
analysis. The findings showed that PLWDs needed equal opportunities in terms of access to
education, employment and healthcare in order to be self-reliant. It was also established that
implementation of government policies relating to persons living with disabilities was not
effectively done as some participants had not benefited from the strategies that were laid down in
their favour. The study recommended the reinforcement of inclusive education, including
capitation for procurement of teaching and learning materials for the SNE learners and more
special needs education (SNE) teachers to be trained. In addition, enforcement of the five percent
reservation of employment opportunities for PLWDs outlined in the Constitution of Kenya (2010)
is crucial for the conditions of PLWDs to improve. Finally, the study recommended that the
medical charges need to be subsidized for PLWDs and more health facilities to be built. It is
anticipated that this study could be utilized to provide the government with a better understanding
of how to successfully implement poverty alleviation strategies among the PLWDs.