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{
    "id": 563948,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/563948/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
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    "content": "On Tuesday this week, I was unable to attend the Senate proceedings because I was solving a problem in one of the schools in Nairobi County. We talk of mainstreaming disability in learning institutions but as a country, we are not providing facilities to cater for learners with disabilities. This school has a unit for the hearing impaired and it is because of lack of equal distribution of learning facilities that the hearing and the non- hearing fought physically. This is just one among many schools. What is the situation in north eastern? I have been getting requests to visit those areas but I have been unable to because of insecurity and accessibility. I cannot do my oversight role as far as disability is concerned. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, education is affected where there is insecurity. It is because of insecurity that education, just like business and development is affected in north eastern Kenya. It makes such counties not to develop together with other counties. This is a serious issue that, as legislators, we need to ensure that justice is done and that we give Kenyans from the north eastern region an opportunity to enjoy their constitutional rights. Denying other people their rights while protecting those of others cannot be allowed in this country. We cannot force teachers to sacrifice their lives to provide education as a right to learners in those schools. A teacher has a right to life and a learner has a right to education. It will be good if we provided an opportunity to both learners and teachers, whereby, security of teachers is guaranteed by the Government. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, failing to invest in education is like killing the nation and failing to plan for the future of the coming generation. As we do this, we are inviting problems. What we are facing right now could be one of the fruits that we are now reaping after failing to take equality seriously. Lack of equal opportunities and inequality in resource distribution can bring a lot of problems. If illiteracy will be part of the problem, then we will find it difficult to bring peace and rectify the mess that will have happened. Article 54 on the rights of persons with disability provides that the State shall – using Disability Acts and other laws – ensure that a person with disability enjoys their rights. I am calling upon the Jubilee Government to give us data on how many learners with disability have been affected in the north eastern region. That will enable them to plan and provide quality education for them. In the end, we will be sure that they can compete in the job market with other people. They will have a say in policy making and development agenda in their counties. They will even be independent in their lives rather than depending on other people for handouts. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we are wasting brains from this part of the country that would have benefitted the whole country. If the security of the north eastern part of Kenya is questionable, why is it taking too long for this mess to be rectified so that these Kenyans can be assured that the Government is doing something to protect them? It is long overdue since the issue of insecurity was reported. We have relaxed as if there is nothing only to force teachers to go back where the working environment is not conducive and where their lives are in danger. Where a working environment is not conducive, the end result is that you cannot perform well. You are always under tension 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."
}