By REUBEN OLITA
May 3, 2026| Kenya Union for the Blind (KUB) Western Region Chairman, Alex Ekirapa, has issued an urgent appeal for the review of extraneous allowances and salaries for persons with disabilities, warning that rising inflation and unique financial burdens are pushing vulnerable households to the brink.
While commending Kenyans for their unwavering dedication to nation-building—efforts he described as key to driving the country forward and inspiring hope—Ekirapa called on the Government of Kenya, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), and private sector employers to take immediate action.
He emphasized that persons with disabilities face disproportionate strain due to unavoidable expenses, including assistive devices, healthcare, specialized transportation, and personal support services. To address this, he proposed two critical measures: first, a substantial increase in extraneous allowances to reflect the real cost of living with a disability in Kenya today; and second, prioritized salary reviews for employees with disabilities, aligned with national wage adjustments, to promote fairness, inclusion, and dignity in the workplace.
Ekirapa further urged all relevant institutions—particularly SRC and COTU—to act swiftly and decisively, insisting that no worker should be left behind as the nation navigates these economic pressures.