Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his spouse, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, hosted the Berlin Special Olympics World Games winners at the DP’s official residence in Karen, Nairobi yesterday where he awarded them Sh10.2 million for their performance.

The team won 25 medals — 15 gold, four silver and six bronze — in the games held in Germany last week.

Every athlete who won gold received Sh750,000, while silver medalists received Sh500,000 each. Bronze medalists received Sh300,000 each. 

Gachagua said the Ruto administration will ensure that every sports person who excels in their specialty is recognised and rewarded.

“l will talk to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports and the Principal Secretary to create a significant portion of the budget for the special persons to facilitate and support them to excel and market the Brand Kenya,” he said. “We also ask the media to highlight and publicise the victory of the Berlin Special Olympics World Games winners.” 

The government has committed to continue with reforms that will ensure people living with disabilities are empowered to exploit their full potential, including in sports. 

“You did not break the ceiling; you proved that with sheer determination, there is no ceiling in the first place,” Rigathi said. “Kenya is proud of you.” 

Noting that there were barriers in law that perpetuate negative perceptions about people living with disabilities, the Deputy President said the government will work with MPs to ensure that laws are amended. He singled out Section 146 of the Penal Code, which uses demeaning and discriminative language against people living with mental disabilities. 

“This is not only offensive and repugnant to the Constitution of Kenya, but also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments, which recognise all human beings with full rights and dignity,” said Gachagua.

Pastor Rigathi is the patron of the Special Olympics team.