Why Senator Asige wants an audit of all leisure and sports facilities in Kenya

Senator Crystal Asige is calling for an audit of all leisure and sports facilities in Kenya, for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to enjoy sports and recreation in the same way as everybody else.

According to the Senator, the implementation and enforcement of accessibility features at these venues remain inconsistent and inadequate.

Having visited various sporting venues, Senator Asige believes many venues still fall short when it comes to addressing a range of needs for persons 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,” said Senator Asige.

“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. Simply put, inaccessibility equals inactivity. 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 added.

When laws require public spaces to be accessible and inclusive, unfortunately, implementation remains a key issue.

From lack of universal design to accessible toilets and changing facilities to physical accessibility features such as negotiable ramps, grab rails, lifts, disabled car parking, drop-off zones, special entrances, and spectator seats close to the action for fans with disabilities, as well as a lack of disability awareness among staff, particularly when dealing with those that have invisible disabilities.

The Senator has previously raised several concerns about universal design and accessible infrastructure in Parliament, noting that a paradigm shift is needed in how we approach the design and development of our built environment.

Her Persons with Disabilities Bill (2023)introduces clear consequences for non-compliance, driving accountability and making inclusive design a reality.

The Bill’s Second Schedule specifically addresses access to public buildings, sporting venues, playgrounds, and other leisure facilities.

By mandating design standards that ensure accessibility to the built environment, the Bill aims to create spaces that are truly accessible for all Persons with Disabilities.

Senator Asige said: “We must integrate accessibility into every stage of the design and development process, from the initial planning stages to the final construction and maintenance.

The majority of our leisure and sports venues are simply 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.

“This issue extends beyond regional events. Kenya, together with Uganda and Tanzania, has secured the rights to host AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) in 2027, and we have officially applied to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, and still we have no adaptive sports venues in place, and neither are they being prioritised. It’s high time the relevant ministries and construction industry at large put in place inclusive design and develop adaptive sports facilities to ensure that PwDs are not excluded from these significant international events.”

Her Persons with Disabilities Bill (2023) therefore calls for accountability and the urgent need to include PwDs.

“Sports have the power to challenge perceptions and reduce stigma against Persons with Disabilities. 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,” said Evelyne Ogolla, Vice Chair, Kenya Sports Association for the Visually Impaired (KESAVI).

The Senator called on the State Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports; as well as the State Department of Lands and Physical Planning under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, to take immediate action and ensure that accessible public spaces are seen not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental aspect of good design.