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{
    "id": 1393554,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393554/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 353,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Homa Bay County, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Atieno Bensuda",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "These policies are in the shelves because we do not have clear implementation on non- motorised transport systems so that safety of the caregivers, other than the stipends that we are talking about and the financial support that the Motion is also addressing, can be realised and achieved. This is a very ripe time because recently we debated the Budget Policy Statement (BPS). I believe it is time that this must be factored in and realised. Hon. Temporary Speaker, still on the synergy to support the Motion, the Ministry of Education should come out clear and map out the students who are along the streets. I remember some years back, there was a proposal to ensure that all children who were found along the streets were to be removed. I do not know what happened because there has been laxity on that. We still see young children on the streets with tins, pushing and supporting the disabled, and at the same time saying nisaidie. At what point as a Government are we going to clearly come out so that what we state is what we act upon and implement? Hon. Temporary Speaker, the PWDs need a lot of care. Recently, I attended the launch of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Strategic Plan for 2023 - 2027. It is a great concern that the caregivers and PWDs have not been given much financial support that is required. Even NCPWD requires adequate financing. I agree and support the Deputy Whip of the Majority Party who talked about the high cost of living, and that people cannot put food on the table. When he said that, I was just smiling because this is what we have been fighting against. I was very happy. I wish she were here. She has just left the House. This is the time that I must shake hands with her and tell her that she has really hit on that point. It is not only ourselves, the people without disabilities, at this time which God has given us this opportunity, who suffer under the high cost of living. What about the caregiver who is doing voluntary work and has denied herself/himself the equal opportunity of going to find food to put on the table? How are we going to empower them? It requires serious synergy; it requires serious public participation; it requires coming together and deliberating on how we are going to have speedy provision and support for the caregivers. This brings me to the point that the Ksh2,000 that has been proposed is not adequate. If the data is very clear, the age limit for caregivers is identified and mapped out. It must not just be left to the family members. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I agree that disability can afflict anybody at any point and at any age. It does not discriminate. This burden of leaving the responsibility to the caregivers is not right. At times we have situations where the person with disability is the only person existing in a family. In such a case, who will take care of the person with disability? I believe that this is an area that this House should take up seriously. We need to look into the caregivers’ social and economic welfare, safety, environmental operations and the labour they are sacrificing to take care of others. I support and believe that if we truly work hard as legislators representing PWDs, it is going to come out clearly. In conclusion, as County Women Members of Parliament, we are elected to ensure that affirmative action is realised, and that the vulnerable communities, women, youths and PWDs are supported. We do not need to beg any further. If we are honest and the contributors in this House are very honest that we really need to represent the PWDs, any time the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) is advocating for anything, and any time the narrative in this House is on NG-CDF, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) must also be there. That should not be a mere joke. We represent the PWDs, and caregivers are part of persons with disabilities. It is time to stop telling stories. We have various constituencies that we are standing in for. So, we must be true to the course of why we are elected. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}