Stakeholders advocating for the rights of people with disability are concerned by the delay to enact the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, 2021, which is still in Parliament.

Even as new innovations are springing up that are seen as a game changer for people with hearing impairments, advocates want Parliament to fast track the Bill which the Senate approved recently.

National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Chief Executive Officer, Harun Hassan yesterday expressed concern that seeking services by the deaf in the country is a challenge since they require a sign interpreter.

“We hope the Bill is going to see the light of the day before the end of life for this current Parliament,” he said emphasising that persons with impaired hearing were closing their fingers for that to happen soon.

If the proposed law is approved by the National Assembly as passed by the Senate, sign language will become the third official language after Kiswahili and English and will be used in all government offices, schools and courts.

However, on a positive front, it was a sigh of relief for people with hearing impairments after a new mobile application that will aid in their communication was unveiled in Nairobi yesterday.

 ICT Chief Administrative Secretary Maureen Mbaka said the new app will enable the deaf to take an active role in socio-economic development in the country.

“The government is fully committed to providing equal treatment to people with disabilities with respect to the use and benefit of ICT services, programmes, goods and facilities in a manner that respects their dignity and equitable relations to the broader public,” she said.

The CAS said the government has been steadfast in ensuring inclusivity in every area of life and in ensuring that level playing fields are created in every possible sector of the economy including the ICT.

Mbaka said the national ICT policy 2020 recognizes accessibility as a policy focus area and that the government will provide an ICT environment fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

Kenya is a signatory to the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities adopted by UN General Assembly 2006.

In the same event, Chairman of the board of Signs Media Kenya Limited, Ham Wesonga, Signs Media MD Luke Muleka, Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association Chairman Douglas Okeya and Horizon Sign Language Training Center CEO Lawrence Musili, also attended.

Others were; United Disabled Persons of Kenya Vice Chairperson Habel Ouma, Caroline Kiarie from UNDP, British Deputy high Commissioner Julius Court were present.

Mbaka said the communication challenges experienced by health service providers which were a major contribution to the development of the new app will be reduced.

“From now henceforth, doctors or nurses who do not understand sign language can diagnose illness and administer medication to the people with hearing loss via the app.

The new app, she noted, will also help persons with hearing impairment to vote.

Court said the app will ensure that there is inclusivity, innovation and impact on lives.

A sign language interpreter plays a crucial role in the life of a deaf person.

In Kenya, there are about 500 qualified sign language interpreters serving the needs of over 260,000 people with hearing impairments, and most of them are located in the urban areas.