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{
    "id": 1511565,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1511565/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 641,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Dorothy Muthoni",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It is important to note that for a long time, disabled people have been left to charity organisations in this country. People think that charitable organisations from western countries can help disabled people in our communities. People think they need sympathy. They think it is only charitable organisations from Western countries that can help disabled persons in our communities. More often than not, it is faith-based institutions that take care of those that have completely been neglected by the society. It is important to note that taking care of a disabled person and, more so, the severely disabled children, takes a heart. The faint-hearted can never take care of such children. Children born with severe disabilities, more often than not, do not see their tenth birthdays. It is not that they are supposed to die at that very early age. It is because there are no systems in place to ensure they enjoy life to the fullest. They have right to live, just like you and me. Last week, I attended a conference on deafness status in Africa at Weston Hotel. I could see the zeal and the passion of parents who came to listen to what it is that they can do to improve the lives of their deaf children. It is a conference I wish we would have all attended. When they hear of such conferences, parents with such children think that is where their help will come from. I would like to address the challenges faced by PWDs. I commend the government for what it has done. The Government of Kenya ensures that any disabled child gets a stipend of Ksh2,000 per month through the Social Security Fund. But sometimes the situation is very unfortunate. Once you have a disabled child because of hormonal or other biological changes in the body, chances are that you will give birth to another disabled child. There are parents who have not one and not two but more than three or four children who are holistically and severely disabled. These children need 24/7 care by a caregiver. It is very difficult for one mother to take care of them. In most cases, the children are left alone with nobody to feed them. Children with cerebral palsy or other severe disabilities are not able to feed or bathe themselves. Somebody must do that. God forbid that such children are in families that are not economically stable. Such children, more often than not, are left there with God, counting their days in this world. It is so hurting that after 20 years since this law was enacted, it is now that this Bill seeks to improve the lives of this category of people. I thank Hon. Alice for coming up with the Bill. I will propose amendments at an opportune time so that caregivers of these children are also considered for a stipend. Hon. Temporary Speaker, before I conclude, parents who take care of severely disabled children should enjoy tax exemption. They should also enjoy the years that are handed to disabled people. They do not live their lives only; they also live the lives of other people. If my 31-year-old boy was able, he would be in this House as a Member of Parliament. I thank God because His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya gave me an opportunity to serve in this House. I always feel that I am serving on behalf of someone who has never and will never have an opportunity of enjoying life like any other. There are people who take care of severely disabled children who have never seen the sun. They do not know who their next-door neighbour is. They cannot turn themselves in bed."
}