by Shikuku Obosi

The Ministry of Labour Social Security and Services and National Council for Persons with Disabilities convened a one day public forum on the 27^th June, 2014 in Nairobi to discuss the Proposed Draft Kenya Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014. Various stakeholders including representatives of Disabled People’s Organizations participated in the consultation. Shikuku Obosi, IA Regional Coordinator represented IA.

The workshop followed the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003 with the main objective of the Act being to provide for the realization of the rights of Persons with Disabilities, the provision of equal opportunities and for connected purposes.The Act is currently under review to align it with the Kenyan Constitution 2010, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international human rights treaties and conventions stipulated in article 2(5) and (6) of the Constitution.

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Labour Social Security and Services. It was established following the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003 with a mandate to promote the rights of persons with disability in Kenya and mainstream disability issues into all aspects of national development.

IA’s participation helped to ensure the insertion of a section on the Right to Legal Capacity in the Bill, as well a provision that people with intellectual disabilities or their representatives can be appointed as members of the Council.

The Ministry will submit the Draft Bill to the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC) and Office of the Attorney-General and Department of Justice for preparation of Bill to become law.