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{
    "id": 1491186,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1491186/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 303,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "personal level. Change will never happen without people understanding viscerally and literally, not just figuratively, the issues that PWDs go through in this country. It is not just a technical matter; it should be something that every single Senator takes personally. Injustice must be taken personally. I continue to plead and beg for support throughout the next few stages of this Bill proposal from colleague Senators to remember that this is not just about words on a piece of paper, but it is about changing people's lives. Madam Temporary Speaker, I get several calls from PWDs across this nation, even outside, asking me to support them, help them with their challenges and amend different laws so that they can be recognised and represented, not just quantitatively, but also qualitatively. I am only one person. I wish I could be everywhere and help absolutely every single person who reaches out to me. Still through this amendment Bill that I am putting forth to the House, I am hoping that when there are more PWDs in the county assemblies who are, as my deputy party leader has said, people of calibre with disability. People who understand matters with regard to disability, who are experts in the field, not just somebody who has a disability, but somebody who focuses and keenly represents PWDs. Only then will people at the grassroots feel represented because I cannot do it alone on the national level. Every single county must have quality and high-calibre representation in the county assemblies of people with disabilities, youth, and other marginalised groups within the counties. Otherwise, what we are doing at the national level will never be felt on the ground. Twenty-one county assemblies with no PWD representatives? That should come as a huge shame, not just to the county assemblies, but to us at the national level, to county representatives who are the Senators of these 47 counties. For them, it should be their priority in this House because the county elects them to represent every person in their county and take this as a priority item. If you are in Kwale, the Senator for Kwale should make this a priority item. Why is Kwale not complying with the Constitution? Why is Nyamira not complying with the Constitution? Why is Nairobi, the capital city with the highest population of not just Kenyans, but Kenyans with disabilities, not complying with the Constitution? That should not be something that should be left to just myself to try and legislate. It should be everyone's business. That is what I have tried my best to highlight in this amendment Bill. I do appreciate the recognition by all colleague Senators that this is an item that needs to be resolved before the next general elections in 2027. Every day and month that we lose to enact this piece of legislation means that we are getting further away from what the Constitution envisioned in terms of full representation and meaningful participation of every single Kenyan because Kenya is not just yours as a non-disabled person. Kenya is also mine as a disabled person. It is also mine as someone with a neurodiverse disability. Kenya also belongs to people with autism. It also belongs to people with cerebral palsy. It belongs to people with Asperger's, Down syndrome, epilepsy and stammering. 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 and AudioServices, Senate."
}