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For most delegates, the second African Union International Conference on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, held at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, 29-31 October, was a normal event with the usual rush to attend a session.
But for Ms. Ralpher Mwenesi, reproductive health coordinator for Kakamega County, and one of the speakers at the conference, the experience was anything but pleasant.
The first time we saw her, she was tied on a wheelchair and taken by a group of four men to a staircase, which attracted a lot of attention from the audience. She was leaving the pavilion room after attending the pre-conference on Sunday, October 28th. The room had neither elevator nor ramp.
At one point on the way, the men carrying Ms. Mwenesi stopped half-way to catch their breath, a clear sign of the Herculean task they were engaged in.
There are more than 1.3 million people with disabilities in Kenya. Section 23 of the Disability Act, 2003, passed in December 2009, guarantees unhindered access to buildings and also obliges all stakeholders in the construction sector to make this possible.
The section states that "All public buildings must be accessible to people with disabilities". The same section also granted building owners a grace period of up to five years to renovate their buildings to ensure compliance.
However, four years after the expiration of the grace period, it appears that a majority of buildings are not yet fully compliant with this directive and that, when it appears that something has been done, this is done in a haphazard way.
For example, outside the conference rooms, Ms. Mwenesi still needed more assistance. Despite the availability of ramps on the Safari Park, she needed two things: to be pushed on the ramp and secured on the wheelchair to avoid tipping, thanks to the steep slope of the ramps.
"The ramps are too steep, risking falling and being carried away by a staircase is not a very dignified way to treat a disabled person," she lamented.
All the experience, she says, makes her less independent and more at the mercy of Safari Park staff when it comes to accessing different rooms where the proceedings of the Safari Park take place. conference.
"I went to Safari Park three times, twice with a disability, after falling ill with an illness that affected my ability to walk. The only thing that has changed between now and the first time I arrived here, is that the staff is more willing to help, "Ms. Mwenesi said.
She said DN2 that she had already spent three days at the hotel during her previous visit and that the hotel management only provided her with a wheelchair, but no one could push her. Despite the concerns expressed by the marketing manager, nothing has changed.
When we spoke to her on the sidelines of the conference, Ms. Mwenesi also lamented the lack of accessible toilets at the hotel.
"At the moment, Safari Park should have had a fully automated wheelchair. In addition, it is unfortunate that they do not have toilets for people with disabilities, "she said, adding that the problem with normal toilets is that they are prone to heavy traffic and that people are at risk. to pour water on the ground. risk of accidental falls. "In addition, it is less hygienic, because a disabled person using all four members is required to pick up infections in the toilet," she noted.
In addition, in most cases, normal toilets are not suitable for people with disabilities – there are no support bars, the sink and toilet are not lowered enough for easy access and there is There is also not enough space to maneuver, which makes the life of the disabled difficult.
Ideally, to avoid confusion, toilets for people with disabilities should carry the international symbol of a wheelchair, a sign used on toilet doors to indicate accessible washrooms.
It is recommended that it be roomy for maneuvering, that the floor should be slip-resistant, well-lit and equipped with a low-level washbasin, low-profile toilet with handrails and a wall-mounted wall mirror.
Considered as "African paradise", perhaps for adopting African architecture and art in its design, Safari Park is close to vibrant urban life. Its bushy and almost rustic appearance makes it a popular conference destination, attracting delegates from all over.
Our attempts to speak to the management of the hotel were futile. We were informed that the General Manager had been blocked during meetings and that we still had not responded to our email at the time of going to press.
But the problem is not unique to Safari Park Hotel. Ms. Mwenesi said she has had similar experiences at KICC and many other public institutions.
"At the JKIA the other day, I provoked a scene by categorically refusing to use the normal toilets and demanding that they provide me with accessible toilets. They had to take me to the VIP lounge where there is one. But when you think about it, it's so unfair to ordinary people that only the VIP room has this equipment, "she says.
The National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPWD) has stated DN2 that they have faced many challenges to comply with the law.
For starters, a majority of developers complain that their buildings were built a long time ago and that it is almost impossible to renovate them.
With regard to minor changes such as the installation of a ramp, most do not follow the specifications given by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Council and, therefore, instead of having a ramp, Mr. Francis Anyenda, NCPWD PR Manager, ends on a slope. This could be the case with Safari Park Hotel.
Mr. Anyenda admitted that the execution was a challenge because the current law does not say "who has to demolish a building if it is not accessible".
"A review of the law has already been approved by the Cabinet. It will provide enforcement mechanisms and help solve some of these problems, "he said.
On May 31, at a conference hosted by interior designers on universal design, Dr. David Olé Sankok, a member of parliament appointed who represents people with disabilities, said that he had adopted the approach of the "soft spot" rather than the hard line of speech. respect for the law.
Anyenda said the approach was aimed at ensuring accessibility while preventing investors from going bankrupt. However, its effectiveness is questionable.
"Some have gone through some changes but there are some who have not done anything," he said.
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