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{
    "id": 497392,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/497392/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 280,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there was a time in this country when addressing issues of disability was a matter of rhetoric; where political leaders thought that they were doing an act of extreme humanity or humane act to appoint a person living with disability into public office, but that is not the case anymore in this country. When we established an elaborate Bill of Rights under Article 53 which talks about persons living with disabilities, we actually graduated the arena of rhetoric to the arena of rights. Therefore, what is being proposed in terms of progressively articulating the realization of these rights for persons living with disabilities is no longer a matter of discretion, but it is a matter of right. Any county or national Government that does not ascribe to the provisions of the Constitution to ensure that they accord visible measures so that persons living with disabilities are dignified, then it is important to state that this would be an abrogation and a travesty to the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. It provides for these rights. This one provides that persons living with disabilities be accorded certain rights and privileges. These rights, therefore, accrue and become a consciousness that this country must discharge so that we realise the full potential. Speakers before me have spoken of how we have literally used disability and people living with disabilities to punish them in terms of actualising their full potential and competences. I think that other countries have done extremely well to ensure this discourse is properly relocated. Kenya has made its first step but it is still taking baby steps. I hear Government functionaries across the board wherever they go, they pride themselves of having the Disability Act in Kenya yet it is a piece of legislation in terms of domesticating the Convention. However, do we really believe in it? Rights are not a matter of belief and conviction. In fact, I think that if every other part of the Constitution is mechanical, Chapter Four which is about fundamental rights and freedoms is not a mechanical chapter. It is an actual chapter. It is about the set of values and principles that guide us as a nation. Therefore, as nation, we have taken it upon ourselves that we shall accord persons living with disabilities with certain rights and opportunities. The fact that Sen. Njoroge has decided to translate what is in the Constitution into our written law means that we want to place a responsibility so that these aspirations are achieved with immediacy. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, preceding the enactment or the coming into effect of this provision, we would require an audit of all counties so that all counties give us a breakdown of persons under special category who have been employed by the county governments; be they women or the elderly. There is a point at which even the elderly to a certain extent are given those rights, member living with disabilities, the youths among others constituents so that we discharge and demonstrate that Kenya is trying or making progressive steps to ensure that the Constitution that we so proudly speak about is implemented. There are various templates across the world about how disability rights are being actualised. Kenya, by and large, has acquired that template. It has domesticated the convention. In so doing, there are also other things that are yet to be seen. We must turn them into law that compels our entire arena or formation of society. Why do I say that? Our Parliament today is fairly disability friendly. However, I know that there were certain constraints about holding certain committee meetings at certain times in certain boardrooms in this Parliament because Members living with disabilities could not access 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."
}