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{
    "id": 497348,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/497348/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 236,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "The other section that it seeks to amend is the one on employment. The proposal is that the national and county governments shall ensure that, at least, 5 per cent of all state and public service positions are reserved for persons with disabilities. I would like to speak to that because it is part of the issues that my coalition is raising with employment generally. While we look into the areas of 5 per cent national public jobs to be reserved for persons with disabilities, we must go a step further and ensure that we balance this nation in the appointment of people in the public service. Therefore, Sen. Njoroge, we are on the right path. That right path is to say that other than persons with disabilities, we must ensure that other positions in public service are properly balanced so that every person in Kenya who calls himself a Kenyan is not discriminated, not only because of their disability but also because of their tribe. The amendment to the Council under Section 10 is amazing. This law has been in existence for the past 11 years. This one says the Council shall prepare an annual report of its activities and all other Government agencies involved in the work of the Council. The most ambiguous clause says nothing and gives nothing and yet you wonder why disabled persons in this country feel as if they do not belong here. If you visit other areas in the world, parking areas reserved for the disabled persons are not used by other people. If you park and you are found, then the penalties are severe. However, what happens at the Junction, all supermarkets, at The Hilton and at Corner House, you will find that people who are able have parked their cars shamelessly. Do we give way to persons with disabilities? We do not. Are our buildings accessible? They are not. Sen. Njoroge, I am urging you to go deeper. Other than facilities and jobs, we must also check out for the buildings so that persons with disabilities are not disadvantaged. Sen. Murungi said that for many years when he was the Minister for Energy, no disabled person could access his office. This is shameful. The construction of public toilets is done in a way that does not accommodate people with disabilities. I am suggesting that my good friend goes a little deeper. The National Council of People with Disabilities is one that we need to know who it comprises of. Who are these people? They are defined under Section 4. This is everybody; under the Ministry of Culture and Social Services, Local Government, Health, Education, Devolution and Planning and Lands, Housing and Urban Development. These people are drawing their salaries, allowances and whatever else from public coffers. So, whom do they report to? It is, therefore, good that Sen. Njoroge has thought, in his amendment of Section 10 that these people report their activities every financial year. It is clearly defined. They will report to the Senate and this is clearly defined. They will also report to the National Assembly and this is clearly defined. The extent to which they are working is also clearly defined. This should also be to the extent to which the national and county governments are complying with the provisions of the Constitution with regard to persons with disabilities. I am suggesting that we go further and define the persons clearly. I am suggesting that we even go further and define these persons clearly because disability is not just being physically challenged, there are other disabilities. Sen. Kagwe has said that in some countries, people who man call centres, receptions--- Therefore, there is no reason why we should not comply with the provisions of Article 15 (4) (2) that states:- The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}