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{
    "id": 1201990,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1201990/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is not often that People with Disabilities (PwDs) get opportunities such as this. This being my first time to speak, I would like to share some of my perspectives on the Presidential Address by H.E the President. I will also explain the length of which I see some of the points that were made and some of the concerns that I would like to bring to the House. First of all, in the blind and visually impaired community, there is a popular saying that goes; what is worse than being blind, is having sight but no vision. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the President’s speech although touching on pertinent issues, I feel that it had some gaps in terms of representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Article 54(1)(b) of our Constitution provides for the rights of PWDs. The same Article further talks about the state and country having an affirmative action of at least five per cent representation in elective and appointive positions for PWDs. The first point that I noted from the address is that there was celebration and appreciation, by the President, on the improvements over the two different election periods on re-elected Members. If I remember correctly, he actually said and affirmed the maturity of our democracy because the numbers had gone up. However, there are also some other numbers that went up, that have not been celebrated within the PWDs community. The numbers that went up include us, PWDs, not being represented in county assemblies, over the last two elective cycles. In 2017, there were 17 county assemblies that did not have any PWD representation. In 2022, that number has gone up to 22 county assemblies, having no PWD representation. If this trend continues, PWDs will continue not being represented in this country as they should be. My next point on representation is on the recent announcement of Cabinet Secretaries (CS) by the President. Unfortunately, that list has no representation of PWDs. During his campaigns, the President made promises and assurances to the PWDs community, that he appreciates and understands the need for our voice to be heard; the need for our representation in CSs, Principal Secretaries (PS), county assemblies and so forth. Unfortunately, the list that has been announced is not considerate of this. I urge the President and other Kenyans who are listening, to push for more representation of this vulnerable group of people in the country. The President spoke about accountability and transparency and I was very pleased about it. He celebrated women leaders that are taking their seats and places at the table. I"
}