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{
    "id": 1251942,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1251942/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 393,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13599,
        "legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
        "slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
    },
    "content": "Allow me to commence my views on the Bill itself with the Constitution. Under Article 53, basic education is expressed not just as a right but a compulsory right that means all our children do not have a choice and cannot opt out of education because this is something the Constitution has made compulsory. The realization of the basic education depends on eliminating both natural and unnatural barriers to access to that education. The barriers have been erected, impeding the access of PWDs to education. We must eliminate these barriers and create an environment to ensure there is equal access to PWDs. Many of the things we take for granted could be the simple barriers that deny access for PWDs. Within the ODM Party we have many members who are PWDs. In fact, the Chairperson of the PWD Caucus in ODM, hon. Tim Wanyonyi, is a person I know and have had the opportunity to work and campaign with. When we were acquiring the new Chungwa House, the headquarters of ODM Party - because I was the Secretary General at that time - I ensured that there were two ramps installed, both at the front entrance and back entrance, to allow hon. Tim Wanyonyi and other PWDs access the building. At that time, we also had hon. Dennitah Ghati as a person whose mobility depended on a wheelchair. At political rallies we have seen PWDs having difficulties accessing the podium at Uhuru Park or Kamukunji grounds. Luckily, since hon. Tim Wanyonyi he has been in Parliament for some time, he has the resources to afford a group of muscle men who help him to access these places. You can imagine how difficult it becomes for a first time MP or someone getting into politics with disability. It has opened my eyes to very simple things. For example, every time we pick a venue for a meeting, you must always ask yourself if the venue is accessible to everyone. I am happy that this Bill tries to address some of the challenges of access to education by learners living with disability. Clause 5(b) talks of a right to have information delivered in suitable legible media of instruction. It is not just about having schools. Those schools must be able to deliver that information in the language in which the PWD can understand. The Bill also proposes the provision on access to all school buildings and facilities with ease. This is what I was trying to discuss here with the example of hon. Tim Wanyonyi. However, what Sen. Crystal Asige has opened my eyes to is something I never thought about. The Bill talks about access to play areas, recreation, leisure and sporting facilities. My daughter who is six years old goes for swimming lessons every Saturday morning."
}