Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped

Speech by KSMH Goodwill Ambassador, Hon. Zipporah Kittony

The IIEC Commissioner; the CEO of IIEC Mr. James Oswago; the Director of Voter Education Dr. Joel Maboga, the Director Partnerships Ms. Anne Nderitu; the KSMH National Trustees Emiratus Arch. Ndingi Mwana A’ Nzeki; & Shree Muljibhai Pindolia; the KSMH Goodwill Ambassador Hon. Zipporah Kittony; the CEO of Disabled Voters of Kenya Alliance & Board Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Mr. David Wanjama; the CEO of KSMH & representative of Kenya to the UNCRPD Mrs. Edah Maina; Kenyans with Intellectual Disabilities; their Assistants, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am extremely happy to be here today at this first, open registration of voters with intellectual disabilities in Kenya.  The mothers of these adults with intellectual disabilities have suffered for a very long time.  They have suffered in silence as they carried this heavy burden of having a person with intellectual disabilities, whose rights are denied and never facilitated. Their sons and daughters were, and most of them still are stigmatized. Some communities still discard and conceal their own members with intellectual disabilities.

For the first time today, the mothers can see that someone is taking a note of their suffering and taking some steps towards securing their rights & in particular the right to vote.  When these voters with intellectual disabilities vote in the referendum and the general elections, it is my sincere hope that more politicians will pay attention to their conditions.  They will be heard and their lives improved.

I urge all the parents of adults with intellectual disabilities – and in particular mothers – to see that they make special efforts to get their adult sons and daughters registered as voters.  We, at the Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped, have been advocating for positive change for four decades.  It is time that persons with intellectual disabilities are given all their rights.  Let there be no discrimination in any field what so ever.

At this juncture, let me also mention that the mothers and fathers to persons with intellectual disabilities must not be left out when it comes to participation in development. I make particular reference to the National Disability Fund where these parents are provided for in the Disability Act but not well accommodated during implementation of programmes. You must not be silenced by stigma associated with intellectual disabilities. To strengthen your voting bloc you must join your sons and daughters in enacting laws and policy that provide for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.

You are a huge voting bloc and must unite to make your voices stronger by the day. Considering people with intellectual disabilities are over 3.6 million, how big will this voting bloc become if all their family members join in promoting their rights? It will become a voice no one can afford to ignore.

Today’s voter registration opens up a whole new vision for the persons with intellectual disabilities and their parents.  They will no longer be sidelined.  They will no longer be told to keep quiet; they will no longer be suppressed!  They will stand up for their rights and to be counted.  I trust that the partnership between IIEC and KSMH will ensure voter education country wide. This will enable more adults with intellectual disabilities access the electoral system.
Thank you

Speech by Ms. Edah Maina on the Symbolic Registration of Voters with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya, by IIEC on Tuesday the 20th April 2010 at the KSMH Headquarters, Waiyaki-Way, Westlands, Nairobi.

The IIEC Commissioner; the CEO of IIEC Mr. James Oswago; the Director of Voter Education Dr. Joel Maboga, the Director Partnerships Ms. Anne Nderitu; the KSMH National Trustees Emiratus Arch. Ndingi Mwana A’ Nzeki; & Shree Muljibhai Pindolia; the KSMH Goodwill Ambassador Hon. Zipporah Kittony; the CEO of Disabled Voters of Kenya Alliance & Board Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Mr. David Wanjama; Kenyans with Intellectual Disabilities; their Assistants,
Ladies & Gentlemen;

I would like you to imagine a situation where ordinary Kenyans were unable to vote because the electoral system was inaccessible? This situation is real to the majority of over 3.6 million Kenyans with intellectual disabilities. In year 2007, only 664 voters with intellectual disabilities managed to register as voters and proceeded to vote for the first time in the history of Kenya. They voted in the civic, parliamentary and presidential elections of 12 constituencies. Prior to year 2007, the electoral system was completely inaccessible to adults with intellectual disabilities.

In fact, KSMH had to undertake a lot of advocacy to secure the voting rights of persons with intellectual disabilities in Kenya. For this category of voters ‘altitudes’ ‘mobility needs’ ‘communication’ and ‘technical supports’ were and still are the greatest barriers to voting. As a result, the polling places across the nation have remained hostile and inaccessible, to most voters with intellectual disabilities, depriving them of their fundamental right to vote.

We are therefore very grateful to the IIEC for the partnership they have commissioned, aimed at addressing barriers to civil and political rights of voters with intellectual disabilities in Kenya. The Disability Act 2003 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; guarantees people with all types of disabilities the right to fully participate in the electoral system. These rights and freedoms must be promoted and protected!
Ladies & Gentlemen;

The IIEC has a lot to do that includes training and sensitizing the poll officers and poll watchers on disability rights and freedoms. It must be understood that electoral officers often deter people with intellectual disabilities from registering as voters when they question their right to vote based on an individual’s cognitive difficulties. The physical manifestations of intellectual disabilities are another concern that is often met with very offensive treatment of voters with intellectual disabilities at the polling stations.

This has brought the electoral workers ‘attitude’ in to focus; as a significant issue that must be addressed to ensure all IIEC officers avoid actions that are considered offensive. Communication by voters with intellectual disabilities is another aspect that must be processed with the adequate time required, including augmenting and applying alternative modes of communications that is appropriate to voters with intellectual disabilities. 
Ladies & Gentlemen;

Assisted voting comes with significant responsibility on the part of the assistant. The IIEC must therefore ensure that all assistants and in particular those assisting voters with intellectual disabilities, are well equipped with information and understanding of their legal obligations in line with Disability Act 2003. This will, in a big way, prevent any form of abuse and exploitation of voters with disabilities. In this case; it is most ideal for IIEC to partner with KSMH in accreditation of PWID’s assistants (human readers) who are trained and empowered on the correct application of tactile, augmentative and alternative modes of communications (AAC).

In the electoral systems, different supports are required for voters with different types of disabilities. You cannot have a person assisting a voter with hearing impairment if he/she does not have the skills of a sign language interpreter. In the same way, a human reader or an assistant to a voter with intellectual disabilities cannot be effective if he/she is not trained on AAC. They must be fully trained & accredited by recognized disability organizations. In the last general elections, KSMH accredited 664 human readers who participated in the individualized voter education; offered to the 664 voters with intellectual disabilities.

Registering voters with intellectual disabilities is one thing; but ensuring their technical supports are well entrenched in the electoral process is another most fundamental issue. We are glad to note that IIEC has already assured voters; full access to the electoral process in line with provisions of the Disability Act and the UNCRPD.
Ladies & Gentlemen;

Having the IIEC here with us today, means a lot to us Kenyans and to the International community. This is an act of good practice that will be documented far and wide. As a representative of Kenya and member of the Committee of Experts to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; it is my joy to see Kenya comply to the provisions of Article 29 in line with Article 12 of the UNCRPD.

This forum will bring the awareness of IIEC to some of the fundamental issues requiring urgent attention as far as accessibility to the electoral process is concerned. 
Some examples are in the past, where we have witnessed open discrimination in the engagement of voters with disabilities.

This is in particular exclusions from voters and civic education country-wide programmes. We do therefore appeal to the IIEC, to ensure voters with all types of disabilities and in particular those with intellectual disabilities are fully engaged in the voters and civic education. This will, help in the preparation of voters with intellectual disabilities and the accreditation of their assistants.

In conclusion, most of our people with intellectual disabilities use mobility aids such as wheelchairs; and I do believe that the IIEC will ensure that all polling stations are accessible by people using mobility aids. The IIEC will also ensure that all the polling booths are set in places where there is a ramp or elevator. In the very busy buildings, the polling stations should have parking reserved for voters with disabilities and the doorways to the polling booth should not be too narrow for wheelchair users.

The narrow doorways are also a hindrance to people using canes or walkers. Our experience has shown that inaccessible electoral system is the major contributing factor to lack of participation of voters with disabilities in the electoral processes.

It is the fundamental right of all Kenyans to vote and voters with disabilities constitutes a major voting bloc that can no longer be ignored. Voting is power, and the size of any group's vote can significantly impact on political decisions. I am therefore urging voters with disabilities and in particular those with intellectual disabilities to form a constituency that is visible and with a significant impact in any elections. Only then will you be able to secure many other rights that are currently denied or greatly neglected. 
Thank You.

Ms. Edah Maina - CEO of the Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped (KSMH)
Rapporteur to the Committee of Experts on the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Telephone No. 020 4450853 – 4 and 0722 793 868; 0736 476 101 or 0729 476 101

Speech by KSMH National Trustee, Emeritus Arch. Ndingi Mwana A’ Nzeki  on the Symbolic Registration of Voters with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya, by IIEC on Tuesday the 20th April 2010 at the KSMH Headquarters, Waiyaki-Way, Westlands, Nairobi.

The IIEC Commissioner; the CEO of IIEC Mr. James Oswago; the Director of Voter Education Dr. Joel Maboga, the Director Partnerships Ms. Anne Nderitu; the KSMH National Trustee Shree Muljibhai Pindolia;  the KSMH Goodwill Ambassador Hon. Zipporah Kittony; the CEO of Disabled Voters of Kenya Alliance & Board Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Mr. David Wanjama; Kenyans with Intellectual Disabilities; their Assistants,
Ladies & Gentlemen;

As a National Trustee for KSMH, I take immense pride in the realization of today’s event. Over the last 39 years we have invested great efforts in hopes of achieving the recognition of the fundamental human rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. Today we are witnessing the fruits of our labor. We have taken the first step in empowering the 3.6 million persons with intellectual disabilities to access the electoral process, a fundamental human right, which many of us take for granted. Let this be the first step towards securing many of our rights and freedoms.

I would like to express my admiration for the IIEC who have embraced this opportunity for change. We can now proudly say that we are pioneers in Africa, being the only country within the continent to ensure access to civic and political rights by persons with intellectual disabilities. The electoral system will welcome the diversity of persons with intellectual disabilities, and provide all the necessary supports to enable them full access to their vote. Through this collaboration of the IIEC, KSMH and the DVA, Kenya’s electoral system is evolving into a model system and a subject of national pride.

I have dedicated my life to always do my best to support and advocate for the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. It has not been easy. This measure of results gives me and my fellow national leaders of KSMH, the trust that one day people with intellectual disabilities will realize equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. This symbolic event will change lives.

Voters with intellectual disabilities will finally be able to exercise their vote to achieve the political advances that they require. Therefore, I would like to encourage KSMH to educate assistants to persons with intellectual disabilities on their civic rights. This is because, it is only through their vote that change can happen.

Not only are policy makers finally acknowledging your augmentative and alternative modes of communication, but it is already entrenched in our laws and the international treaties. I am glad to see IIEC embrace your ways of communication. This will pave the way for other government bodies to follow suit. It is now the obligation of the government to ensure that your language is also facilitated in the courts of law among other governance institutions.

Today, we have set an example. We will progress to use our numbers to demand for our rights and freedoms. Let us remain united in the road to equality and freedom. Thank you!

Speech by KSMH National Trustee, Shree Muljibhai Pindolia on the Symbolic Registration of Voters with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya, by IIEC on Tuesday the 20th April 2010 at the KSMH Headquarters, Waiyaki-Way, Westlands, Nairobi.

The IIEC Commissioner; the CEO of IIEC Mr. James Oswago; the Director of Voter Education Dr. Joel Maboga, the Director Partnerships Ms. Anne Nderitu; the KSMH National Trustees Emiratus Arch. Ndingi Mwana A’ Nzeki; the KSMH Goodwill Ambassador Hon. Zipporah Kittony; the CEO of Disabled Voters of Kenya Alliance & Board Member to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Mr. David Wanjama; Kenyans with Intellectual Disabilities; their Assistants,
Ladies & Gentlemen;

I am very much pleased to be here today to witness this historic and symbolic registration of voters with intellectual disabilities in Kenya.
We at Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped have been making great efforts over the last 39 years for recognition of rights of persons with intellectual disabilities.  This has not been easy at all.

First and foremost is the very high levels of stigma attached to intellectual disabilities; and secondly, intellectual disabilities are the least understood amongst all other disabilities.  It is even harder to gauge the support required by each individual with intellectual disability and his/her family.
With such odds, KSMH has gone ahead to advocate for the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities at all levels and at the same time, KSMH has provided various services to the persons with intellectual disabilities and their families to make their lives easier.  One of such important service that we are providing is the early assessment of children suspected to have limitations in intellectual functioning.

This service is one of the pioneering projects of KSMH and is the only one in the whole region of East and Central Africa.
To be a Kenyan is to belong to Kenya.  As a Kenyan, no matter what your wealth status is, what your social status is or what your tribe/race/religion is, one must enjoy all the rights that are given under the constitution of this country.  The freedom of association, the freedom of movement and the freedom of choice must be available to all Kenyans.  When 10% of Kenya’s population that is with intellectual disabilities is left out of the process of choosing their leaders, it is indeed a great loss.

Therefore, today is important.  Today we are making history.  Today we are giving the persons with intellectual disabilities what is their true right.  Let this open a new chapter for our country where all citizens can enjoy all their rights.
Thank you.

The highly symbolic registration of voters with intellectual disabilities in Kenya, which was held on Tuesday 20th April 2010, by Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped (KSMH) and the Disabled Voters of Kenya Alliance (DVA), in conjunction with the IIEC, has had phenomenal success. With many notable dignitaries, including the IIEC CEO Mr. James Oswago, the IIEC Commissioner Yussuf Nzibo, the KSMH National Trustees, and the KSMH Goodwill Ambassador Hon. Zipporah Kittony, the event captured key policymakers and has proven to be hugely influential.

Both KSMH National Trustees, Shree Muljibhai Pindolia and Emeritus Arch. Ndingi Mwana A’ Nzeki, as well as Hon. Zipporah Kittony, spoke on the historic event, highlighting the many issues that persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs) face, such as stigmatization and access to specialized treatment and care.

They noted that through this groundbreaking event, PWIDs will finally have access to their democratic rights and freedoms, empowering them with a voice which can instigate change.
KSMH CEO, Ms. Edah Maina, emphasized the disempowerment of PWIDs which existed previously in the electoral system, due its failure to provide adequate supports for the 3.6 million Kenyans with intellectual disabilities. She lauded the IIEC for confronting this travesty, and their initiation of a model electoral system, which not only provides for assisted voting, but will also enable the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC).

Mr. James Oswago and Mr. Yussuf Nzibo from the IIEC acknowledged that PWIDs had been silenced for long enough. It was emphasized the difference to their lives and standard of living that access to their vote would make. The collective power of PWIDs is substantial, and now they will be in a position to demand many of the basic rights they have been denied for so long.

The event had a turn-out of over 600 PWIDs from the Nairobi environs alone. These individuals were provided with the opportunity not only to register as voters, but to finally attain National Identity Cards, a right which many of them have been denied as a result of their disabilities. This event will be a catalyst for the registration of voters with intellectual disabilities nationwide. PWIDs are finally being seen as Kenyans, and not just persons with intellectual disabilities.