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{
    "id": 1267128,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1267128/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 321,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, it does not mean Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were born like that but things like accidents, which are rampant in this country, can cause disability. I hope the relevant agencies like the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Traffic Police Department and the Ministry of Roads and Transport will seize the matter. This is because we are losing many Kenyans through road accidents while some lose their limbs and sight which becomes a challenge. When we have a topic about PWDs, we should not imagine they are different from us. They are Kenyans too. There are people who are temporarily disabled. I am happy that Sen. Crystal Asige is taking the lead on the legislation to ensure PWDs are recognized. In Nandi County, we have several schools. There is Kapsabet School for the Deaf in Kapsabet Town. We have small homes sponsored by the Catholic Church in Tach Asis, Tinderet. There are several religious organizations including the Salvation Army, the Quakers, Anglican Church and the Adventists who play that critical role. I commend them for taking a keen interest in assisting PWDs. Nandi has been a beneficiary of small homes that are supported by the Catholic Church of Kenya. I specially thank Bishop Dominic Kimingich of Eldoret Diocese, where my jurisdiction falls, for ensuring those small homes continue to run. I visited one in Ndalat Jobs School for people living with a disability. The name Job comes from a young man who was born without arms and limbs. He attended a regular public school in Ndalat, Mosop Sub County and went ahead to establish a public school specifically for children living with disability. Madam Temporary Speaker, at the beginning of this year around March, I visited that school. The teachers and the community who support such children do a lot of work. They are heroes we should be giving Head of State commendations. We should recognize them and not people who carry githeri while queueing to vote. These children have different challenges. Their minders take care of them; they change them, teach them to walk and give them physiotherapy. I am impressed with what Job is doing in that school for PWDs. One of these fine days, I will request Sen. Crystal Asige to visit those two schools in my County. She should encourage and motivate them that being abled differently is being the same like us. Being a PWD, does not mean you have a lesser body. If you are aggressive and work hard, you can become what you want. Madam Temporary Speaker, I was given the honour to second and I will be brief. Article 54 of the Constitution talks about PWDs. The Disability Act of 2003, credited to the then Vice President, hon. Moody Awori has been overtaken by events. I agree with her that we need to repeal that law and come up with one sponsored by Sen. Crystal Asige. The Constitution 2010 is clear. What Sen. Crystal Asige has done is the import of Article 54 given it a prescriptive nature in the legislation. For example, they should be treated with dignity, respect and, addressed and referred in a manner that is not demeaning. That is important because no one likes to be demeaned. They must have dignity. When you no longer have dignity, you are no longer a person. They must be respected too."
}