Ability beyond my disability

By Priscah Angwenyi

The United Nations defines the term persons with disabilities as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments.

Even with such inabilities, people have gone past the narrative to perform their tasks better, become a motivation and mentors to those with disabilities. Any form of disability does not define such people.

Newsline interviewed CPA. Asenath Obiero, Senior Clerical Officer at the Finance Division where she shared her journey. Read On!

She is an early bird. Though she lives within the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) staff quarters, you always find her at her duty station by 6:30am. She exudes confidence, positive energy and laughter. Her calm demeanor, teachable spirit and a welcoming smile makes her approachable.

You either find her teaching her colleagues on how to transact a certain data entry as per the latest International Financial Reporting Standards or how bank reconciliations are done. She has perfected her accounting skills that she even mentors students on attachment currently she is in charge of fixed assets and donation accounting. Team work and team spirit has always been her mantra. Her level of professionalism and integrity cannot be compromised. Wait, what is the driving force that has made her stay in KNH for 17 years? This is what she had to say.

“I was born and raised in Homabay County, Rachuonyo Sub-County. I started my education in Kandiege Primary School then moved to Ogande Girls’ High School where I completed my ‘O’ levels. I went through school with other children and jelled in well with them thus it has been easy to deal with people. There was no single day that I negated my duties that people who are well able were assigned, this is the energy that I have carried through my life. ’’ Says Ms. Obiero.

“When I got employed in KNH, I started off as a Clerical Officer II but with a passion in accounts and finance. This motivated me to study Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Course as a private candidate and then register for examinations.

In 2015 I graduated as a Certified Public Account-Kenya and I am registered by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya to practice this trade. Finance has always been my passion and that is why I will continue training everyone. It runs in my nerves. Being an expert in my area has boosted my selfesteem,” says Ms. Obiero.

“I was born like any other normal child, played all the childhood games but during my teenage years I developed poliomyelitis after battling a sickness that affected my nerves on the right side of my body paralyzing my right leg thus, I had to stop my primary education briefly. It affected me for a long time but my mother encouraged me to continue with my studies. She has been my support system since my father died when I was very young,” continues Ms. Obiero.

Ms. Asenath loves her family so much. A mother of two beautiful girls but with her disability her pregnancy journeys have not been easy. “When I see my two babies, I see resilience. Carrying the pregnancies to term was never an easy journey. As I sit here I have lost three pregnancies. The experiences have been painful but thankfully when I see the girls they are like fresh roses and lilies in my life” says Ms. Obiero.

“KNH has taken care of me so well that my children have survived. During the pregnancies, doctors advised me to have bed rest for the first 12 weeks. The counseling sessions have always boosted my morale. This is what made my girls survive. My spouse has always supported my endeavors and he has always loved me beyond my disability. I still perform my motherly duties without complaining leading as an example to my girls” continues Ms. Obiero.

Outside KNH, Ms. Obiero helps bright but needy students in her community. “I have so far helped 6 students from my village 2 of whom recently graduated from university,” says Ms. Obiero. This is her way of giving back to the society.

CPA. Asenath Obiero with her colleagues from Finance Department

PHOTO | JOE MUITA

Ms. Asenath encourages people with special needs not to shy away from their disability (ies), instead they need to work hard, and stay focused and always endeavors to be an asset in the society.

“Be resourceful in your environment, be teachable, a voice of reason, work in teams and never look down upon yourself because you are important and that is why you are created by God for such a time as this,” concludes Ms. Obiero.

As the old saying denotes, “disability is not inability”.

MAIN PHOTO | JOE MUITA CPA. Asenath Obiero, Senior Clerical Officer Finance, KNH