The journey of Betty Mula, a champion for disability rights and women's leadership
Betty Taany Mula, a woman leader living with disability and a nominated MCA in Kajiado County. She is on a mission to improve her status and that of other women like her.
What you need to know:
- After witnessing the struggles of women with disabilities in Kajiado County, Betty Taany Mula launched empowerment programs that caught the attention of local politicians.
- Her advocacy led to her nomination as a MCA, where she successfully pushed for a Sh50 million fund to support people with disabilities.
- Now she mentors other women with disabilities to take up leadership roles.
In one of the many community forums that dot Kajiado County, women with disabilities from all walks of life gathered in a circle, their faces reflecting both weariness and determination. The air was thick with anticipation as they prepared to share their stories – tales of struggle, resilience, and hope for change. Among them sat Betty Taany Mula, a woman whose own experience with disability would soon catalyse transformative change across the entire county.
As she listened to their testimonies, Betty's heart grew heavy with each shared story. "Many of the women in the forum were grappling with a myriad of challenges that ranged from stigmatisation, undocumented by appropriate authorities that complicated their access to basic services, to poor living conditions," she recalls, her voice carrying the weight of those memories. The saddening state of affairs these women found themselves in would become the driving force behind her mission for change.
It was this agonsing encounter that propelled her into action. With unwavering determination, she began developing programs aimed at empowering these women, creating pathways for them to rise above their circumstances. As her initiatives took root, her leadership style and passionate dedication to improving the lives of those living with disability began drawing attention across Kajiado County.
Unknown to Betty at the time, her grassroots work had caught the eye of the local political establishment. Politicians were keenly following her empowerment initiatives and her approach to transforming the lives of people with disability. This unexpected attention brought a smile to her face – after all, many of the problems facing people with disability required political will and decisive action from lawmakers who controlled resource allocation.
Betty made the strategic decision to join a political party. "I realised working closely with the political class was going to help put issues of people living with disability high on the agenda of the county government programs," she explains, her eyes lighting up as she recalls this pivotal moment in her journey.
"I had to participate in the political party programs to be recognised, heard, and appreciated," she says, reflecting on the calculated steps she took to ensure her voice would carry weight in political circles. Her dedication and strategic approach paid off when the United Democratic Alliance Party nominated her as a Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kajiado County, specifically to represent people with special needs. This nomination wasn't just a personal victory – it represented the culmination of years spent championing disability rights at every possible forum, including key county government meetings.
Now seated in the County Assembly, Betty hasn't wasted any time in advancing the rights of people living with disability and other marginalised groups. Her most significant achievement thus far has been successfully pushing for the adoption of the Kajiado County Disability Mainstreaming Act, which establishes a substantial Ksh50 million revolving fund.
"Persons living with disabilities have been misused and abused," she states firmly, her voice carrying the authority of someone who has witnessed these injustices first-hand. "Some are used in begging schemes designed by other people who use them as baits to win sympathy and get money from the unsuspecting public. This is going to change with this Act."
The comprehensive nature of the Act reflects Betty’s deep understanding of the challenges facing her community. According to her, the Act establishes a board with broad powers to oversee the Fund's implementation across multiple crucial areas. These include financing start-up businesses for people with disabilities, establishing micro and small enterprises, facilitating training and mentorship programs, and providing essential business development services.
The board's mandate extends beyond economic empowerment. They have the authority to allocate funds for assistive devices, support education programs through bursaries, and ensure access to vital medical services, including nutritional support. This holistic approach, Betty believes, will finally begin to address the systemic challenges that have held back people with disabilities for generations.
With the fund now established, Betty has broadened her focus to include talent identification and development among people with disabilities, working in collaboration with other leaders in her ward and county. She sees this as another crucial pathway to improving livelihoods and changing perceptions.
Women with disabilities hold a special place in Betty’s advocacy work. She has been particularly active in encouraging them to step into leadership roles and engage meaningfully in governance processes. During the 2022 General Election, she orchestrated forums where women with disabilities could directly engage with political aspirants.
"This was done during the 2022 electioneering period where we invited aspirants vying for various political positions to come to forums organised by women living with disabilities and speak to us," she explains with pride. "As we did this, the public showed a lot of interest and appreciated what women with disabilities can do. This helped to build confidence in them to a level they started seeing us as capable leaders."
The path to her current position hasn't been without its challenges. The expectations placed on her shoulders are immense, requiring her to work "triple hard" to deliver and prove her capabilities. Even during the nomination process, she faced significant obstacles when her name was mysteriously removed from the party list. It took a spirited fight, including having to present her disability card, to secure her rightful place.
These experiences have shaped her understanding of political engagement. "You might work hard and get nothing," she observes, sharing hard-won wisdom. "You need to be known by the party leadership at the local level and abide by the party rules."
Party leadership
For young women aspiring to enter politics, particularly those with disabilities, Betty emphasises the importance of engaging in programs that positively impact people's lives. She advises them to join political parties as active members, participate consistently in party activities, and seek leadership positions at the local level.
Her message to women with disabilities is equally clear and practical: "Let the party know what they want as women leaders through seeking audience with the party leadership." This approach, she explains, helps ensure that when opportunities arise, including nominations to political positions, the distribution of slots is fair and inclusive.
Today, as she continues her work in the county assembly, Betty stands as a powerful symbol of what determined advocacy and strategic leadership can achieve. Her journey from that first emotional forum to the chambers of county government hasn't just changed her own life – it has opened doors and created opportunities for countless others living with disabilities in Kajiado County.
