Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 932539,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/932539/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar’s passion in improving the lives of PwDs cannot go unnoticed. Sen. (Prof.) Kamar employed a secretary who was deaf. Not many people have this kind of confidence in PwDs. Affording PwDs some form of employment does not only help them have an income, but also helps them in being productive members of our society. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, PWDs have a sincere friend in Sen. (Prof.) Kamar who does not only talk about disability, but walks the journey with them. I wish to bring to the attention of this honourable House and all Kenyans that Sen. (Prof.) Kamar and I are co-sponsors of the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, 2019. This Bill has gone through the First Reading, public participation and is at the Second Reading Stage in this House. This is the first Bill on sign language. It is anticipated that when the Bill becomes law, it will address the glaring lacuna in this area. As a scholar and legislator, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar stands out as an all inclusive transformative leader that we need to emulate. I would like to state that in this August House, persons with disabilities have many friends. Although Sen. Mwaura and I represent PWDs, there are many legislators who help in amplifying our voice legislatively. I thank all legislators in this House for supporting the agenda of PWDs. Inclusion of PWDs can never be achieved without the support of the wider society. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to state that PWDs in Kenya are very innovative and creative. However, they lack support to translate their innovation to economic gain. Countries all over the world look for various ways of tapping the unique talents of PWDs, so that- (a) They are acknowledged for their talent; (b) Their talent is nurtured; (c) Their talent is translated to economic gain for their country; and, (d) They are honoured and remembered for their contributions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are many PWDs in this country who are illustrious, ready to work and be productive. However, they lack meaningful start-up capital because banks cannot give them loans as they lack the collateral and evidence to demonstrate that they are not risky borrowers. There are also many PWDs groups in this country that are desirous to be productive, but they lack the funds to start up a meaningful project. It is my hope and belief that Sen. (Prof.) Kamar’s entry into the scene will be more triumphant for PWDs in this nation. I believe that Sen. (Prof.) Kamar will work with her other colleagues in identifying genuine PWDs across the 47 counties and ensure that there is fair and impartial financial support for all the PWD groups and individuals. It is, therefore, my onus to congratulate Sen. (Prof.) Kamar and her colleagues on their new appointment. I wish them all the best as they endeavour to make a socio- economic contribution to the lives of PWDs in this country."
}