Chemtai Bwambok: Woman defying banditry to help people with disabilities

Joan Chemtai Bwambok and beneficiaries of her humanitarian assistance programme in the banditry-prone Kerio Valley. [Wycliffe Kipsang, Standard]

When bandits raid the North Rift, persons with disabilities (PWDs) are often the most disadvantaged, as they are left behind while other residents flee for their lives.

But a woman who grew up in the bandit-prone Kerio Valley is seeking to change the situation by reaching out to the vulnerable group.

Joan Chemtai Bwambok is using her resources to provide food and mobility aids to PWDs in the region.

Bwambok said she has lost many relatives at the hands of armed bandits from a neighbouring community.

"Sadly, the government assistance and support from well-wishers never reach these people, and they are completely forgotten," she told The Standard in an interview.

The latest victim is her cousin, Stephen Chelal, who was recently shot dead by armed bandits in Loruk, Baringo North Sub-county.

Chelal, a police officer who was on leave, was shot dead while herding livestock. The incident occurred a day before he was due to resume duty.

Through her organisation, New Dawn of Hope, Bwambok has been donating food and clothing to victims of banditry and their children.

"I'm doing this purely out of goodwill, not for any political gain. I was brought up in a banditry-prone region, and most of the victims are my relatives," she said.

She said she was moved after meeting a physically challenged woman, Jane Chesang, in Kagir, Baringo North, whose crutches were in poor condition.

"The crutches were broken, and she had used blankets and clothes to hold them together. It instantly struck me that I needed to do something to alleviate the suffering of these people," Bwambok recalled.

The Standard established that many PWDs in the region have borne the brunt of the armed conflict, which has left more than 100 people dead in the past year alone.

Franklin Chelal, a person living with a disability, said life has been difficult for people with disabilities in the region, which has not known peace for years.

"We live here by the mercy of God. When people flee during raids, the disabled are left for dead. We have witnessed many of our counterparts being shot dead in cold blood," said Chelal.

He had been using metal crutches to move around before Bwambok came to his rescue.

Christine Kibet, another person living with a disability, said children, people with disabilities and the elderly are the most affected during bandit raids.

"People like us in these remote areas have really been forgotten. Society cares little about us. Sometimes we go for days without food, not to mention the insecure environment we are exposed to," said Kibet.

Bwambok has been working with area chiefs and village elders to establish the exact number of PWDs in the region.

"I'm currently trying to locate around 20 of them, most of whom are victims of banditry in Baringo County along the border areas. Most of them are nursing gunshot wounds," she said.

"Others are blind, while some have lost their hands. They cannot even access medical facilities. These are the issues I'm focusing on," she added.

Although calm is returning to the region after years of bloodshed, many residents continue to live with the harsh reality of shattered dreams caused by insecurity.