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{
    "id": 1284557,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1284557/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 242,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Thangw’a",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you very much, Madam Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity to also add my weight in supporting this Bill. I also thank Sen. (Prof) Kamar and Sen. Crystal Asige for seeing it fit to bring to the Floor of this House this Bill that requires that sign language be introduced in schools. Madam Temporary Speaker, when I was a Member of the County Assembly (MCA), there was a friend of mine who was visually impaired; a nominated MCA. Every time, he could tell us that if Jesus was to come to his town and he hears that he is healing people, he would run away in the other direction. This is because he was comfortable with the way he was. Therefore, by bringing this Bill, we are not feeling sorry for anybody. What we are doing as a House is to give everyone an opportunity as given by the Constitution. We should start from this House. Our standing Orders allow English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language as the official languages. We should have an interpreter in this House. All the Standing Orders of the 47 county assemblies allow three languages that is English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language. We should also emphasise that the county assembly should provide the interpreters so that those people who cannot speak or are hard in hearing can be following what is happening in the county assemblies. At least for us, we are lucky that we are able to go live and we have an interpreter on television. However, county assemblies do not go live on their debates. For you to follow what is happening at the county assemblies, you have to attend physically. By providing interpreters in those county assemblies anybody who understands the sign language is deaf, or is hard in hearing will be able to follow. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Bill is about inclusivity because it will remove communication barriers across the spectrum. Sometimes, you are with somebody who is deaf and you cannot communicate beyond just saying “hi”. Somebody would want to share their stories. However, since we cannot understand him, we are not able to communicate with such a person. If this was in school when we were in primary and high school, it would be very easy to communicate with anybody. We will be able to have a conversation with a deaf person. Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not know whether you know that the reason why they say the Chinese are very creative is because they use the chopsticks. I do not know if you have ever tried to eat using the chopsticks; just lifting a grain of rice, a potato or anything. You will realise that it requires some art. It brings about critical thinking. That is what the sign language does. It brings about critical thinking because the moment you are talking with your hand and gestures and speaking without sound, it encourages critical thinking. Our children will be critical thinkers immediately, once this sign language is introduced in primary schools. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Bill will provide career opportunities because TSC will have to employ all over the country people who can speak using sign language. They will have employment opportunities as teachers. You do not have to be deaf to understand the sign language, but you get an opportunity to learn and understand it. 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."
}