Othaya: A new bill currently before the Kenyan Parliament aims to align the country’s legal framework with both the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities Bill 2024 is poised to repeal the Persons with Disabilities Act 2003, and is in its third reading. It intends to entrench the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure they are treated with dignity in public and private spheres.
According to Kenya News Agency, during celebrations marking this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Othaya, National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPD) Director Joseph Lerina highlighted the significance of the proposed legislation. Lerina emphasized that the bill will significantly enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities by ensuring access to cash transfer funds and mandating the use of dignified language in addressing individuals with disabilities.
The proposed bill includes provisions for the use of respe
ctful language when registering and certifying people with disabilities. It also aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities are adequately represented in government to address their interests and needs. Lerina noted that the council has utilized the e-Citizen platform to streamline the registration process for new beneficiaries, allowing them to register at the grassroots level using mobile phones, thereby receiving their e-citizen certificates with authentication features.
Ken Kabene, County National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Service Officer, stated that while the exact number of persons with disabilities in the county is unclear, estimates suggest around 80,000 individuals. He emphasized that annual celebrations serve as an opportunity to raise awareness about government policies and programs designed to assist those affected by various forms of disability.
In May, the government initiated a nationwide mapping program for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Relat
ed Developmental Disabilities (RDD) to create a data bank. This program aims to facilitate access to necessary medications, diapers, and critical assistive devices at no cost. Kabene highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the high costs of sustaining these individuals, noting the need for special support and expensive assistive devices, such as walking frames and wheelchairs.
The government is working with county hospitals and faith-based organizations like the Metropolitan Children Sanctuary, which serves as a rehabilitation center, to register and map individuals with disabilities, placing them in appropriate institutions.