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{
    "id": 497353,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/497353/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 241,
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    "content": "to do something to make a difference. I think Sen. Njoroge is playing his role to leave a legacy in his term as a Senator in this House. I am also impressed by the contributions of Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. which have been done from an informed position, with passion and with some sense of experience. I agree with him that this should be one of the many amendments that should come to anchor matters of persons with disabilities in the law and to ensure that we protect persons with disabilities. It is clear that there are many ways that people become disabled; others at birth while others immediately after. Sen. Kipchumba who used to be here before his term was ended prematurely used to remind us that because of medical reasons, he became disabled. However, there are people, just out of an accident; somebody falls in a bathroom or a car accident and becomes disabled. One Member of the National Assembly, hon. Tim Wanyonyi, was just like all of us here who fortunately are not disabled, but just because of an attack by merciless and heartless people, he became disabled. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, despite the fact that we sometimes treat persons with disabilities as an unfortunate lot in our midst, all of us have the potential of being disabled. We must always have in mind that persons with disabilities under the Constitution, Article 54 are not being done a favour. They are Kenyans, they are human beings created by God, and like we say that rights are not given by law, they are protected by law because there are people out there would use or misuse the opportunity to mistreat other people. The law was enacted to ensure that those rights are preserved and protected. Therefore, the rights of persons with disability are not given in the Constitution. They are not given by our Constitution, but protected by our Constitution. This very useful Article 54 provides that a person with any disability is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect and to be addressed and referred to in a manner that is not demeaning. It also goes ahead to say that they must access educational institutions and facilities, places of public transport and information, provided with sign language, Braille or other appropriate means of communication and access materials and devices to overcome constraints arising from a personal disability. These beautiful provisions of the Constitution are not just there for the purpose of us admiring them, they must be realized by those who deserve this protection. As I said, they are not given by law, but protected by law. The Constitution is very clear that the State should ensure progressive implementation of the principle; that at least 5 per cent of members of the public in elective or appointive bodies are persons with disabilities. At least, there is a minimum that should be arrived at, but we should be able to go beyond that minimum and allow persons with disabilities to play the same roles because physical disability is not inability. The other day I saw a wonderful story of a gentleman who is an IT manager at Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) doing wonderful things. I watched “Jeff Koinange Live” on television and you could see how he is able to write and he does not have the kind of hands some of us are lucky to have. I also saw a story of a girl who was writing using a leg. I have seen so many God given talents that are bestowed upon persons with disability and, therefore, we must be able to give them a chance to flourish in their lives. 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."
}