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{
    "id": 801617,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/801617/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 229,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "ALSO CONCERNED that owing to lack of accurate data on persons living with disabilities, the government at both levels cannot plan properly for this category of people; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate calls upon the National Council for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection and county governments, to carry out a nationwide registration of all persons living with disabilities in order to determine their exact population to facilitate effective service for this marginalized group of our society. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Motion is as straightforward and self- explanatory as I have read. With this Motion, I want us to have a proper census of Person with Disabilities (PWDs) so that we can establish exactly how many they are in Kenya. This is to enable them to be catered for by both the national and county Governments. An exercise meant to conduct a census and ensure due registration of PWDs will go a long way in ensuring that this vulnerable group in our country is taken care of through proper planning, policy formulation and service delivery. It is painful and unfortunate that a good number of PWDs, some with severe disabilities, are always on the streets with begging bowls. Most of Government support and funding is pegged on successful registration. The availability and distribution of approved schools for the disabled is insufficient. This is unfair and, in my opinion, it is discrimination against this group of people. Why am I asking the Government to take over this responsibility? Yes, it is a responsibility that is bestowed on the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWDs). However, the NCPWDs has stated that they are unable to carry out this exercise. When I was researching on this, they gave me various reasons they are unable to do so. Some of the reasons included inadequate funding from the national Government, lack of sufficient personnel such as clerks to carry out registration in the NCPWD; lack of facilitation for registration in terms of doctors, who are supposed to carry out medical examinations to certify the disability and transport logistics to remote areas. The other reason given was poor coordination and working relations between different stakeholders such as hospitals, donor organisations, county and national Governments. There is, therefore, the need for the Government to step in strongly and ensure that these people are registered. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as I read in the Motion, 10 per cent of any given population is comprised of PWDs. When you look at statistics in Kenya, that percentage should be over four million PWDs living amidst us. However, when you look at the statistics, I think they have registered up to just about one million, which is 25 per cent of this category of people. There is, therefore, need for the remaining 75 per cent to be registered so that they can enjoy the privileges that are given to them under Article 54 of our Constitution, which is very explicit and makes provisions for these kinds of people. However, you can only enjoy those privileges if you are registered yet they cannot afford to register themselves because for one to be registered, they need to go to a registered health facility and be examined by a registered doctor. As you know, 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."
}