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{
    "id": 1284527,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1284527/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 212,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. From the onset, I want also to join you in welcoming several guests. Today, the Senate has a lot of guests from students to visiting delegations. I want from the onset to congratulate Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, Deputy Speaker Emeritus, for bringing this Bill; the Kenya Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No. 9 of 2023). I was asking myself whether it is possible to have what we call the Special Needs Bill so that we include everybody like the deaf, the blind, the mute and others, so that we do not have to do legislation per group. This Bill has come at a good time when we are having conversations and are being cognizant of the people with special needs in our society. I want to join my colleagues in supporting this Bill and say, it is timely. The issue of sign language or the deaf is something that the Constitution gave attention to. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 has enumerated that the languages of the Republic of Kenya, should include English, Kiswahili, and sign language. So, we are in the rightful place and this is just an elaboration of the recognition of this special group of individuals within our communities and in our nation. Article 54 of the Constitution on People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) recognises that the government has a role. I want to request, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, we need audits as per Article 54(1)(b). Article 54(1)(b) says- “(1) A person with any disability is entitled - (b) to access educational institutions and facilities for persons with disabilities that are integrated into society to the extent compatible with the interests of the person.” The State shall ensure progressive implementation of the principle that at least five per cent of the members of the public in elective and appointive bodies are persons living with disabilities.” So, it is the right time for Senate to have progressive reports. I do not know how we will initiate that. We are passing a lot of legislation; we are requesting compliance; we are seeking attention, but no one can tell us today in this country that the Government of Kenya has this as the number of PWDs who have been elected or appointed across the country. For us in the Senate, Parliament and even the county assemblies, these are issues that we are grappling with. The appointive aspect is easy. We can argue with you about elective, because if you have six constituencies in Nandi, which one should belong to PWDs? Do you force people to elect PWDs to achieve the threshold? However, the easiest way is to only engage with the counties. Let us do an audit. Have we complied with national and county government requirements? Sen. (Prof.) Kamar has been a great champion of PWDs or Kenyans who are abled differently. I would like to confirm to the House that I am not one of the PWDs so, anyone who is watching or seeing me should not imagine that I am one. I am just a temporary PWD. 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."
}