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{
    "id": 1151599,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1151599/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 91,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Makueni, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Daniel Maanzo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2197,
        "legal_name": "Daniel Kitonga Maanzo",
        "slug": "daniel-kitonga-maanzo"
    },
    "content": "PWDs have been denied. If they are unable to earn a living, they are abandoned and end up without food and water. Of importance is how we will implement this law and ensure that people who break the law by abusing the rights of PWDs are dealt with properly. What is the system of getting evidence by the police and ensuring there is a special prosecutor for these cases? Probably, we can come up with special courts or some special courts already in existence, like the Children’s Court, can deal with these people. Although the people who drafted this law have done a very good job, there is still a lot of work to be done during the Third Reading so as to improve this law and ensure it serves PWDs better. The PWDs undergo a lot of rejection. The system in place is that their money, identification and infrastructure is implemented by the national Government. The existing council has not been very tight, and there has been a lot of corruption in the system. Skills for the poor people and children with disabilities have not been properly impacted. Most of the times, they are left at the mercy of well-wishers in children’s homes. Members of Parliament have a big role to play when it comes to dealing with PWDs. Most of the times, they have to chip in or mobilise well-wishers to visit different children’s homes and schools for the disabled, where they undergo training. One thing that should be stressed is skills for PWDs. This will ensure that every person has access to education, skills, medication and can earn a living. Some PWDs have managed to be treated while others got disabled through accidents. I have a case in Makueni of a worker in one of the cement companies where something went wrong, and in the process, hot cement was sprayed into his eyes and he became blind. Ever since, he has been living with disability and any medical effort to make him see again has been impossible. So, this person is living with disability. Another issue which has not been well handled is the people who pretend to be disabled so as to enjoy the privileges meant for PWDs. Again, these privileges are not well captured in this law. They were left scattered in some administrative processes somewhere or in regulations of other Acts of Parliament. This makes it difficult to implement the goodies for PWDs in the Constitution. So, looking at this Bill in totality, it is an important law. This is a big move which will assist in the implementation of education to PWDs or those who acquire disability when they are adults. Some people are recovering from accidents and pretending to be disabled so as to enjoy the privileges, yet they have recovered. There is no mechanism of identifying them so as to restore them back to where they belonged. Unfortunately, this law is being discussed when our good friend, Hon. Sankok, is not here. He is a Member of Parliament living with disability, and has been part of the system of assisting PWDs in this country. Unfortunately, as we all know, he lost his son and is handling this matter. On my part, I believe that many other Members want to say pole and condole with him. He would have given this Bill very serious input as an affected person who has been practising this and knows the loopholes. I believe he will be back by the time we do the Third Reading to help us get details which will help this House serve PWDs better. The total responsibility should not be left to Members of Parliament who lack resources. There should be a proper plan on how the national Government will help PWDs. Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to support and urge Members to do the same."
}