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{
    "id": 1151659,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1151659/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 151,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Bomet Central, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ronald Tonui",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1242,
        "legal_name": "Ronald Kiprotich Tonui",
        "slug": "ronald-kiprotich-tonui"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to comment on this Bill. This is an important Bill because it will mainstream issues to do with people with disabilities. This is a group which we need to take care of since it is a club that one can easily join. The Bill is timely and we need to support it. The rights of PWDs must be taken seriously, especially issues to do with access to buildings. We need to legislate and ensure that they access buildings without any hindrances. We also need to ensure that we take care of the interests of PWDs even in terms of taxation. We know that they require specialised equipment in order for them to operate. For instance, there should be zero-rating of vehicles meant for them. Taxation of vehicles meant for PWDs should be removed because they need to modify them for use. Those are some of the issues that we need to ensure we provide for PWDs. I am happy that the Government has ensured that PWDs access some stipend every month. That is a positive move and we need to support it. We also need to provide PWDs with more funds. In terms of employment, we need to mainstream and ensure that the five per cent requirement for PWDs is respected in recruitments. The PWDs should be provided with opportunities for employment especially in public service. That needs to be taken care of. We also need to ensure that issues to do with procurement are dealt with in this Bill to ensure that PWDs are protected when they compete with others for tenders. A certain proportion of Government tenders should be given to PWDs, so that they can improve their wellbeing. This group is at the lowest level of the pyramid and we need to pull them up. These are the real hustlers. Therefore, this is a timely Bill and I support it. I am in the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare which is dealing with it. We are still processing it because it is very detailed. We are not yet through. I am very sure that my Chairman will table many amendments to this Bill which we will support to ensure that we take care of the interests of PWDs. Where there are conflicts with the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, those issues will be polished and straightened so that PWDs are assisted to benefit more through this Bill. With those few remarks, thank you very much for this opportunity."
}