For a long time, there was no real inclusion of persons with disabilities in political parties, recalls Nickson Kakiri, President of the disability league of Kenya’s largest opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The party’s constitution recognised women’s league and youth league but did not recognise the disability league. Unless disability is recognised in the political party documents, those who advocate for disability inclusion are forced to work within their own group without wider support from the party. In this situation, the advocacy for disability inclusion is ad hoc in nature, not permanent. It is also almost impossible to find resources for it. However, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) puts an obligation on state parties to ensure persons with disabilities enjoy their political rights.
