BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
Senator Isaac Mwaura who represents Persons with Disabilities in the Senate has mourned former Kenya National Association of the Deaf-(K-NAD) Executive Director Peter Wango Opany.
Wango was the founding vice chair of the association and held various positions between 1986 and 2002.
He was also the founding chairman of the Nyanza Deaf Association between 1988-1995.
Mwaura said he served with Wango in the board of National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD).
“He is a trailblazer in disability rights, having co-founded the Kenya National Association for the Deaf (K-NAD) in 1987.” Mwaura said.
He said Wango was a treasure.
“He was a great advocate; we have truly lost a treasure trove of knowledge and determination.” Mwaura said.
He added that K-NAD has been the main pillar and voice for the deaf in Kenya.
“My most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the entire disability fraternity for the loss of our dear comrade and brother Peter Wango.” Mwaura paid his tributes on facebook.
Wango’s contribution was key in formation of the NCPWD after he was appointed vice chair of disability taskforce by former Attorney General Amos Wako in 1996.
The Taskforce report was used to form the NCPWD under the disability Act 2003.
He was appointed a board member of the World Federation of the Deaf Secretariat for Southern and Eastern Africa region from 1994-2002.
He served as a treasurer at the United Disabled Persons of Kenya, an umbrella body for the disabled persons organizations.
Wango died on August 15 aged 65 years while undergoing kidney treatment at the Aga Khan hospital.
He will be buried on Sunday, August 30 at his farm in Alego,Siaya county.
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