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{
    "id": 1547704,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547704/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 238,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "There have been many Senators that have been nominated to this House to represent persons with disability. You must first place context for people to understand why this is such a milestone. This Bill amends the Pearsons with Disability Act, 2003. We have had three Parliaments. This is the third Parliament since the coming into place of the new Constitution and with all the challenges that persons who are gifted differently face in this country, it has not been possible to get somebody to put in the hard work like Sen. Crystal Asige has, to ensure that this Bill becomes law. I know among the many conversations that I have had with her, this was among the first things that she asked me about. To help her, hold her hand and ensure that she succeeds at this. This must go on the records of this House. The opportunity that we are granted to legislate in this House is an opportunity to change the lives of ordinary citizens. Every law that we pass here affects people one way or the other. It is always our challenge to ensure that we pass law that makes the life of other citizens better. They look at us and say thanks to the legislators that are in the 13th Parliament, they have finally remembered us. The population of Persons Living with Disability is in the millions in this country. Many of them continue to face discrimination and various challenges that have not been addressed despite the fact that they have very good provisions, courtesy of our extremely progressive Constitution. Therefore, I just felt that it would be important to celebrate the industry of this colleague of ours, who has shepherded this law, ensured that this business is finally concluded, and is now back here with a mediated version of the Bill, and we are now passing it. I know this, because last Session, together with another colleague, I think Senator Isaac Maura, we attempted this. You know--- he did not--- unfortunately, and no offence to him, we did not succeed. You know, there are many Members that begin on the work of legislation, but they do not have the discipline to follow it through and ensure that it comes into law. There are many people that have attempted. So, when a colleague of ours dedicates their time, as Sen. Crystal has, together with those that have worked alongside her, our staff, and those in the National Assembly that guided the Bill, we must take time to celebrate that. I know that on the day when we finally conclude on this and this is signed into law, persons living with disability will bless each one of us in this House and say, at least we have been remembered, finally, after so many years. Therefore, I want to thank all the stakeholders that have been involved, those that have given their feedback and input. I know the National Councils for Persons Living with Disability have even visited in my office more than two occasions and asked that we please conclude. It was becoming an embarrassment of monumental proportions that about12 years after the advent of the new Constitution, we have not aligned our laws to the provisions of law. Therefore, I am happy that this afternoon we are bringing this business to a close, to ensure that when you meet persons living with disability on the streets, at least, you can sit with them and say, we have eventually done that which we promised. I know this 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."
}