Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has called for a comprehensive audit of all leisure and sports facilities in Kenya.
This, she said, will ensure Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can enjoy recreation and sports equally.
Asige emphasised the urgent need to address accessibility gaps, which she says remain inconsistent and inadequate across the country.
Having visited various venues, Senator Asige highlighted the significant shortfalls in addressing the needs of people with both visible and invisible disabilities.
“As a fan of keeping fit and enjoying the outdoors myself, I don’t subscribe to the notion that a disability should be a barrier to attending sporting events or facilities. Everyone should have that same opportunity, and it’s unacceptable that this is clearly not the case across our counties,” Asige said.
Senator Asige noted that societal misconceptions about disability have perpetuated inactivity among PwDs.
“For too long, there’s been this social belief that if you’re in a wheelchair or living with complex disabilities then physical activity does not apply to you. Nothing could be further from the truth," she said.
Asige said inaccessibility equals inactivity, adding that accessible environments can contribute to an individual’s quality of life and well-being.
"Research has shown that generally, PwDs tend to be less active because we have traditionally been excluded from the leisure industry and often encounter difficulties accessing and navigating the built environment,” she noted.
She emphasised that accessible environments significantly improve the quality of life and well-being for PwDs.
Research shows that PwDs are generally less active because of exclusion from leisure industries and difficulties navigating the built environment.
The Senator pointed to several issues affecting accessibility, including the lack of universal design, accessible toilets, negotiable ramps, grab rails, lifts, disabled parking, drop-off zones, and special entrances and spectator seats.
She also raised concerns about insufficient disability awareness among venue staff, particularly for invisible disabilities.
In Parliament, Senator Asige has consistently raised these issues, calling for a paradigm shift in how Kenya approaches infrastructure development.
Her Persons with Disabilities Bill (2023) introduces accountability measures to ensure inclusive design.
The Bill’s Second Schedule mandates accessibility standards for public spaces, including sporting venues, playgrounds, and leisure facilities.
She said accessibility must be integrated into every stage of the design and development process, from the initial planning stages to final construction and maintenance.
According to the senator, the majority of leisure and sports venues in the country are not fit for PWDs.
"It’s heartbreaking to think that as we gear up to host the East Africa Inter-Parliamentary Games next month in Mombasa, an entire segment of our society is being left out because the facilities do not accommodate our needs,” Senator Asige said.
She expressed concern that Kenya’s preparation for international events like the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2029 World Athletics Championships lacks prioritisation of adaptive sports venues.
She said it is high time the relevant ministries and the construction industry put in place inclusive design to ensure PWDs are not excluded from such significant international events.
Vice Chair of the Kenya Sports Association for the Visually Impaired (KESAVI) Evelyne Ogolla echoed Senator Asige’s sentiments.
“Sports has the power to challenge perceptions and reduce stigma against PWDs. It’s also a pathway to economic empowerment for those who can access the right facilities. Believe me, there’s no sport that can’t be adapted for us,” Ogolla said.
Senator Asige called on the State Department of Sports and the State Department of Lands and Physical Planning to take immediate action and ensure accessibility is a fundamental aspect of all public spaces.
“Accessibility should never be an afterthought but an integral part of good design,” she concluded.
