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{
    "id": 1511571,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1511571/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 647,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Embakasi West, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mark Mwenje",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1429,
        "legal_name": "George Theuri",
        "slug": "george-theuri"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I assure you I will not take much time. Firstly, I wish a happy International Day to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). I also congratulate the Mover. I was with Senator Asige today. She insisted that I must contribute to one of her Bills. I felt this one was the most appropriate. I congratulate her in absentia, together with the Mover, for the work they have done. Disability in this country is something that has been pushed to the back. We do not talk about it as often as we should. Most of the elected Members organise medical camps. I organised one which was themed, ‘For People Living with Disability’, in Embakasi West earlier this year. A lot of them came. Some came from as far as Murang’a, Kiambu and Mlolongo. They all came to Embakasi West in Umoja 3 Disability Centre. I was overwhelmed. We needed doctors and caregivers. I sat down and thought about it. When we organise other medical camps, I only have people from just within the environment. However, the one for PWDs made people travel for 70 kilometres. That is when I realised that there is such a gap in terms of their care in this country. We must realise this is a special category of persons who require some special care. They have been discriminated for so long. In terms of job opportunities, we get stuck when PWDs who are qualified come and they need jobs, but there are no opportunities for them. All the companies and government jobs do not provide something specific for them. I hope that this new and intensive legislation will start addressing some of these issues. One of the issues I have observed even here in Nairobi is the need for more support for individuals with disabilities. Although we have established autism blocks in some of our schools, they are not sufficient. We should now resort to establishing PWD centres within our schools to address some of these challenges. Many parents are unable to work because they must stay home to care for their special needs children. These parents are highly disadvantaged because they cannot earn a living. They cannot also find special centres to leave their children. Furthermore, therapy for PWDs is essential, but existing centres are inadequate. I hope that the new legislation will provide for these facilities at affordable rates. I believe that PWD centres should be located in every ward across the country. While we are discussing the establishment of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) hubs in every ward, we also need to ensure the presence of PWD centres. Additionally, the provisions in this Bill, such as access to credit and information, are crucial. For example, in London, blind individuals can navigate their surroundings independently. In Kenya, it would be a nightmare to let a blind person walk from Haile Selassie to Moi Avenue or Kenyatta Avenue alone. There are many provisions that must be passed to create a conducive environment for PWDs. It is important to remember that being a PWD is not a choice; any of us could have a child with a disability, be related to someone with a disability, or even become a PWD due to an accident. I do not want to state that we are all potential PWDs, but we must recognise that the challenges faced by these individuals could affect us or our loved ones. Many PWDs possess significant potential. Our colleague, Senator Asige, always delivers captivating speeches and demonstrates the capability of individuals in this special category to contribute meaningfully to our country. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I hope that the Committee will consider how this Bill will be implemented. The Bill is well-drafted and contains many positive provisions. The question is how we can implement it effectively to realise our shared vision. So far, PWDs have yet to achieve this dream under the 2010 Constitution. With that, I beg to support."
}