Just days after a video of embattled Sirisia MP John Waluke making fun of a short-statured man in front of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen surfaced, Senator Crystal Asige had denounced the incident.
In the video recorded during a Jukwaa La Usalama forum on Friday, the MP mockingly directed the man to run across the dais and salute like a police officer as the crowd, including the CS, roared in laughter.
Taking to social media on Saturday, Asige, who sponsored the recently assented Persons With Disability Act, called out the act, relaying that she had already spoken to the leaders present.
She further brought up the Act, stating that she expected its passage to compel Kenyans, especially national leaders, to refrain from engaging in such bullying activities.
"An incredibly disappointing video where leaders are taking part in mocking a person of short stature. I will not reshare for the dignity of the gentleman, but I’ve let my thoughts be known to the leaders," the statement read in part.
"I would expect that after all the gains we have made in the country, to the extent of assenting to the Persons With Disabilities Act, people of their standing would not participate in the public humiliation of disabled people. We may be disabled, but our votes are not."
The Senator concluded her statement by urging the leaders to keep their negative feelings about persons with disabilities to themselves and not take them to the public.
She further slammed those not defending the "asinine remarks", stating, " Let not disability visit their homes, nor the homes of those they love."
The video sparked public outrage, as the MP was implying that there were spaces where people living with disabilities were not welcome, despite the newly passed Act protecting them.
His reaction came after the question of hiring PWDs in the police workforce came up. Insisting that the issue of security could not be compromised, he subjected the man to public mockery instead of presenting his arguments against it.
While assenting to the bill on May 8, President William Ruto directed that all government institutions ensure the inclusion of persons living with disability and ordered the reinstatement of the Disability Mainstreaming Performance Indicator in performance contracts to aid the push for inclusivity.
"As part of our efforts to strengthen disability inclusion in the public sector, I direct the Public Service Performance Management Unit at the Public Service Commission to reinstate the Disability Mainstreaming Performance Indicator in performance contracts," Ruto said.
