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{
    "id": 1151594,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1151594/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 86,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) James Nyikal",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "This Bill rightly links the counties. The Mover, the Leader of the Majority Party, indicated that it may take the Bill to the Senate if we bring in those. Probably, we will have to look at that, but that is a very important function. Even if we exclude them because we want the Bill to pass, we must later on have amendments that will bring them up because PWDs live in the counties. So, the convenience of us passing the Bill should not surpass the convenience of getting the right thing done. This Bill has created a Schedule. Schedule One of this Bill is, in my view, the most important part. It has put in place requirements that are needed in private and public institutions, and public transport. I know many of us may not appreciate how PWDs, particularly physical disability involving the limbs, get into a bus. How do they get into a train? How do they come off a train? Now, this Bill makes provision for that. For example, we must have bus stops with platforms. We must go for buses with a flat bottom aligned to the stage so that somebody with a wheelchair can just be wheeled in. There should be a space or two inside the buses where PWDs will go into. These are extremely important. Therefore, we must also align this with international standards so that the facilities they use in Kenya for PWDs must be exactly the same as the facilities they will meet when they go to other countries. We must have this in building regulations. It cannot just be said, put in regulations and left to implement itself. Other laws, even building laws, will have to be amended so that these requirements of PWDs are entered in the law. Buildings should not be approved as habitable if they do not involve these facilities. When the time for the Committee of the whole House comes, we will look at these amendments in order to strengthen the Bill further. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}