Nairobi:Stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have advocated for the explicit inclusion of lifelong care, universal accessibility, and standardized sign language instruction in the East African Community (EAC) Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2024.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a public hearing in Nairobi organized by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Committee on General Purpose, delegates emphasized the need for regional legislation to go beyond basic rights. They called for the establishment of enforceable and sustainable support frameworks for over 20 million persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the region.
EALA MP David Sankok, EALA lawmaker Falhada Iman, and EAC Secretariat Elizabeth Gitonga were among the attendees as Nicholas Nyamweya from the State Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, highlighted the necessity of state intervention for severe disabilities, rather than relying solely on family support. Nyamweya urged the integration of lifelong care and assistive technology into primary healthcare systems and advocated for regional tax exemptions on locally manufactured assistive devices.
EALA MP Dr. David Sankok supported the standardization of sign language instruction across partner states to facilitate communication with persons with hearing impairments. He also warned against the removal of tax exemptions for mobility aids, emphasizing the financial burden on families.
Representatives from the State Department for Gender and the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs called for stronger regional frameworks, including gender-responsive budgeting and enhanced protections against workplace harassment. Meanwhile, delegates from the Kenya Institute of Special Education and the Kenya Institute for the Blind advocated for mandatory special needs training in pre-service teacher programs.
In her closing remarks, EALA MP Falhada Iman reassured participants of the assembly’s commitment to enacting comprehensive regional legislation to protect all citizens, emphasizing that disability inclusion is about human rights, equality, and dignity. Public hearings continue as the EALA committee gathers technical submissions to finalize the bill for presentation to the regional parliament.
