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{
    "id": 497350,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/497350/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 238,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“The State shall ensure the progressive implementation of the principle, that at least 5 per cent of the members of the public in elective and appointed bodies are persons with disability.” We must go a step further, because we have passed several laws here giving special provisions, for example, under the PFM Act 30 per cent should have gone to the youth in the last financial year. Who knows whether 30 of the budget of counties went to the youth? Here we have reports from the Transition Authority that, in fact, a large number of counties have not even complied with the gender rule. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we must go a step further; if counties can discriminate on tribe and other issues, and we know how the disabled category of persons in this country have been treated, we must put mechanisms in place to ensure that there are penalties for default. Therefore, in terms of names and figures, we must be able to see that 5 per cent represents both 5 per cent at the national level and the county level. We all know the counties are saying that they are suffering because 70 per cent or 80 per cent is going to emoluments. Would it not be nice to say that out of the 70 per cent they are paying salaries, their wage bill is so heavy but 10 per cent has been given to persons with disability? That is the way to go. In supporting this Bill, I want to urge my colleague to actually go back to Article 54 in its entirety and ensure that there is complete provision to ensure that the persons with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect, have access to educational institutions and facilities, have reasonable access to all places; public transport and information and they have access to use sign language, Braille or other appropriate means of communication. Does this Senate have such facilities? Does this Parliament have such facilities? Does any Government institution have such facilities? Do we have schools with such facilities? Do we have an institution that can be accessed by a person who cannot see? Do we have facilities for people who cannot hear? Do they have access to materials and devices to overcome constraints arising out of their disability? I suggest that Sen. Njoroge moves an amendment so that we either waive duty, levies on wheels chairs and materials that are used by persons with disability because that is the only way we can help. To tell the Government to offer these facilities is not good enough. For persons like rotary clubs in Kenya who are spending a lot of resources importing wheel chairs for persons with disabilities ought to bring containers upon containers without paying duty or levies so that we can help this country. Those wheelchairs that they have donated so ably since 2001, they have not paid for any but for them to come to this country, Rotary International has had to pay. That is discrimination and is not in keeping with this Constitution. I beg to support."
}