PWDs Protest Inaccessibility Of Government Buildings In Mombasa

A Senate committee has heard emotional testimony from disability rights advocates in Mombasa, who described how people with disabilities continue to face barriers when accessing government services despite constitutional guarantees of equal rights.

“When I came here [Mombasa County Assembly building], I wanted to go to the gallery, but it was very difficult. People had to carry me up, and when people carry you, they don’t carry you in a proper way. Sometimes you may get hurt,” said disability campaigner Charity Chahasi.

The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, met in Mombasa to consider a petition presented by activist Zedekiah Adika. The session brought together Mombasa MCAs, officials from the Ministry of Labour, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and engineers from the National Construction Authority (NCA).

Advocates pointed to facilities such as Bima Towers, where lifts are broken and ramps are absent, forcing people with disabilities to be carried up stairs when seeking services.

Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki said the issue was about human dignity and equality. “It is about dignity, equality and the right to participate fully in public life,” he said.

Senator Miraj Abdullahi reminded officials that Article 54 of the Constitution protects the rights of persons with disabilities, but enforcement has been slow. The NCA said most of the buildings under scrutiny were built before it was created, while NCPWD admitted the Disability Act, 2003 did not give it strong powers to enforce compliance.

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo dismissed this explanation and accused NCPWD of neglecting its mandate. In response, acting chief executive Eva Njoroge said the new Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, had strengthened the agency’s role and promised new regulations by the end of the financial year.

Some officials cited ownership disputes and UNESCO heritage restrictions as barriers to modifying old buildings, but advocates rejected this. “We cannot be told that the county assembly is a UNESCO-protected building, and therefore no reform can be made,” one said.

Senators were also told that lives have been lost due to unsafe conditions, including malfunctioning lifts in government buildings.

After the hearing, the Senate committee toured facilities such as Bima Towers and the Betting Control and Licensing Board. The inquiry continues Wednesday with a meeting with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

Senator Miraj insisted that government services must be made accessible. “If the mountain cannot go to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain,” she said.