Persons with Disabilities and their guardians could be in line for a major reprieve if the Persons With Disabilities Bill, 2023 is passed by the Senate.
On Wednesday, the house passed several amendments seeking to boost the welfare of select PWDs by a 33-0 vote.
Amendments added a clause in the Bill which seeks to have parents and legal guardians of persons with disabilities receive a Ksh 150,000 tax exemption.
The newly added clause stipulates, “ The Cabinet Secretary for finance may, on application, grant an income tax exemption certificate of up to Ksh150,000 to a parent or legal guardian of a person with severe disability.”
However, the bill asserts that for one to receive the exemption they have to undergo a medical assessment that ascertains the severity of the disability forces the parent/guardian to be in full-time care of the person.
Additionally, the bill also proposes a monthly stipend for parents/ legal guardians who are full-time caregivers of not less than Ksh10,000 monthly through a social protection programme.
For one to qualify for the stipend they have to apply through the Cabinet Secretary in charge of social protection.
“A parent or legal guardian who is indigent and assumes custody as the full-time caregiver of such person with severe disability may apply to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Protection to be granted access to the monthly cash transfer programmes with a minimum of 10,000 Kenya shillings,” the bill reads in part.
The bill which was sponsored by nominated Senator Crystal Asige further tasks the Cabinet Secretary in collaboration with the National Council for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) to make regulations for the proper implementation of the proposed amendments.
Instructively, this is the second bill proposed within a period of two months seeking to improve the welfare of Persons Living With Disability (PWDs)
Kipipiri MP Wanjiru Muhia has also proposed a piece of legislation seeking to impose fines of up to Ksh1 million for discriminating against Persons Living With Disability.
"Further the amendment seeks to require the Council to use dignified language in the registration of persons with disabilities and discourages the use of undignified, disrespectful or offensive names and language when referring to persons with disabilities," the MP stated.
