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{
    "id": 1284500,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1284500/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Kamar",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 33,
        "legal_name": "Margaret Jepkoech Kamar",
        "slug": "margaret-kamar"
    },
    "content": "This is very important so that whenever we have conferences, whether it is this Senate or KEWOSA or any other group and we need an interpreter, we just check the website of the Kenya Sign Language Interpreters and pick whoever we want from there. That way, we will have standardized and we would know who can do the work. Ideally, the Bill also stipulates that, individuals wishing to provide Kenya Sign Language Interpretation services must apply for registration with the Ministry of Education. This is very important. Just the way we say you must register as a teacher with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), we need a body within the Ministry of Education that registers interpreters so that we do not have everybody or any Tom, Dick, and Harry coming in to say that I am an interpreter. Therefore, there should be a designated officer from the Ministry of Education appointed as the registrar of the Kenya Sign Language Interpreters responsible for maintaining the registered interpreters in an accessible manner so that anybody who requires the services of interpreters can also access them easily. The Bill permits individuals to inspect the register upon payment of a prescribed fee ensuring transparency and accountability. The Bill also emphasizes the importance of a code of conduct for sign language interpreters and the promotion of basic Kenyan language among government employees at the National and county level. This promotion as I had mentioned earlier means we all need to start learning how to utilize the language. A parent came to us during the public hearing of this Bill and we were surprised that when she discovered that her child was deaf, she decided to train the whole family. They had a private person coming in to talk to them in sign language so that they were able to communicate to this child. Every child has a right to education in the form in which they can enjoy their education. It is very important to note that it goes beyond that child. It touches everybody else around that child. So, Kenya Sign Language should just be one of our third languages and we should all learn how to use it so that we can communicate with these very special Kenyans. The Kenya Sign Language Bill emphasizes inclusivity, equality and protection of the rights of a minority population called the deaf in this country. In a diverse society like Kenya where numerous languages are spoken, it is essential to ensure that no one is left behind due to communication barriers. The Bill mandates the provision of sign language interpreters in various public services making information and services more accessible to this group. Access to sign language can improve social inclusion and participation in various aspects of society such as community events, public meetings, and cultural activities. Hence the need to make this language as prominent as the other languages. By mandating the use of Kenya Sign Language in judicial proceedings as I said earlier, the Bill ensures that deaf individuals have equal access to justice. Sign language legislation can help protect the rights of the deaf community and ensure that they are not discriminated against. This is a fundamental right that should not be denied based on one's hearing ability. We continue to emphasize in this Bill the use of sign language in the judicial proceedings. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}