Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 963949,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/963949/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 246,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "it, people rarely recognize this. I will say this on the floor of this House because it was a hurtful situation when PWDs were not able to voice their issues. PWDs have what it takes to be involved in sports and bring gold to this country. Many times when they go out there for international competitions they are able to come with silver and gold, but this is not magnified. It does not come out and so people do not realize that PWDs have what it takes. There is need to come up with a policy that will ensure that PWDs are supported in sports. I am saying so because sports has become a career. For example, I went to Dubai for a world championship event. From Kenya we were only able to take 30 participants. These 30 participants came from the counties. I do not know if this was done by a phone call, but they were not given adequate preparation or support for them to compete, practice and beat other teams internationally. It was a painful event because right from the counties, they tried many times, they wanted the county governments to support them or give them preparatory activities. This is so that when they go for games out there nationally and internationally, they would win. They were not given a hearing. I will raise issues of disability, what I see on the ground and if we are not given a hearing--- I know that this House is a House of reason and it will obligate county governments to do what they are required to do. In the budget of the county governments, they need to set aside money to ensure that they are developing PWDs.They need to ensure they are investing in disability sports. When I went out of the country in Dubai, I realized that so many countries out there invest in their PWDs. When they realize that a person is good in para-volley ball, they enhance it. When they realise another one is good in sitting volley ball, they enhance it and eventually it becomes a career for them. When it becomes a career for them, those PWDs do not become a burden rather they bring glory and honor to their country. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, PWDs can bring glory and honor to this nation. What they lack is an opportunity. They should be given the right opportunity so that they are able to showcase the talent they have and if they do so, they become our pride. I suggest that there is need for this Motion to go a notch higher so that policies are put in place or we even have a Bill that speaks to it so that PWDs are not discriminated. If I represent PWDs and yet I am not able to speak on their behalf in very important decision-making processes, who will talk for them? There is need for the Senate to come out clearly and ensure that this Motion goes a notch higher and county governments are brought to account so that they support the PWDs in sports. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, sometimes Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are even unable to come to Nairobi to practice for qualifying games. This is simply because they do not have transport; they do not have a venue, and their coaches have not been paid. It is very unfair for PWDs to be despised or treated as if people are not thinking about them. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we keep talking about inclusion, and I would like even the President, the Deputy President, Sen. Wetangula, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka and all the people who matter in decision making to hear this. There is need to include PwDs in everything."
}