A new law meant to safeguard the rights of Persons with Disabilities has spelt out stiff penalties for those found contravening its provisions.
Article 61(1) of the Persons with Disability Bill 2023(Bill no 7 of 2023) states that anyone 'who wilfully and without any lawful justification treats a person with disability in any manner in contravention of Article 2794(4) and (5) of the Constitution commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Among the offences listed here are denying such people public services or entry into public places accessible to members of the public, the right to inheritance of family property, health services, education, and rights to obtain, process, and utilise documents of registration or identification such as a birth certificate, a national identity card, and a passport.
Parents who mete out physical violence occasioning actual harm or psychological torture, wrongfully confine or detain a person living with a disability to deny such a person opportunities and services as outlined in law shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
