The Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee on Friday, May 8, 2026, raised concern over the continued inaccessibility of public buildings in Mombasa for persons with disabilities.

The session, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, followed a petition filed by Zedekiah Adika, which detailed structural barriers in key institutions, including Bima Towers, Uhuru na Kazi buildings, the Mombasa Law Courts, and several county government offices.

The petition stated that despite the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 being in force for one year, compliance levels in public infrastructure remain low.

Petitioners argued that continued inaccessibility undermines constitutional guarantees on equality and non-discrimination, particularly in access to essential public services. The committee heard that several buildings in the coastal city remain physically restrictive to persons using wheelchairs and those with other mobility challenges.

Senate demands accountability and timelines

Senators expressed concern over the slow implementation of accessibility measures. Vice-Chair Senator Crystal Asige questioned delays in regulatory development, stating: “A whole 365 days later, there isn’t even one regulation,” she said.

She warned that continued delays could push implementation funding to the 2028 budget cycle.

The Judiciary faced further scrutiny over certification and oversight of the Mombasa Law Courts project.

Miraj Abdullahi requested clarity on approval processes and accountability for the structural issues identified, while Judiciary officials requested seven days to submit a comprehensive report.

The committee also raised concern over the absence of senior representatives from the Ministry of Environment and the National Environment Management Authority during the session.

Beth Syengo and Chair Murgor insisted that only Cabinet-level officials could commit to binding timelines and resource allocation.

Government response and audit findings

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Social Protection, Joseph Motari, informed the committee that the National Council for Persons with Disabilities had conducted accessibility audits across several public facilities. He noted that the assessments revealed “critical gaps in inclusive infrastructure” in buildings such as Bima Towers and Uhuru na Kazi.

Motari further stated that draft regulations under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 were pending review by the Council’s board between May 18 and 22 before public participation processes commence.

He added that the ministry had developed a structured audit tool covering seven domains to assess accessibility compliance. In addition, the ministry is working with the Council of Governors to establish a county-level disability inclusion reporting framework aimed at standardising monitoring across devolved units.

The Judiciary also presented updates on accessibility interventions. Officials indicated that the newly constructed Mombasa Law Courts complex, completed in 2021, has remained unused due to structural defects affecting usability.

The Judiciary outlined ongoing reforms supported by a Ksh130 million Ford Foundation grant, which include nationwide accessibility audits, conversion of policy documents into Braille and audio formats, and a long-term infrastructure plan covering ramps, voice-command systems, Braille signage, and accessible sanitation facilities.

For the Mombasa courts, officials reported that construction of a ramp connecting street level to the second floor is scheduled to begin in July under the Ministry of Public Works, with completion targeted for December.

The committee directed that we accelerate regulation development, submit accountability reports, and adhere to construction timelines for accessibility upgrades.

Further, a committee inspection of Mombasa facilities was also scheduled for August or September to assess progress on the ground.