This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
David ole Sankok, a nominated Member of Parliament, has made a significant announcement: he will retire from politics in 2022.
According to Sankok, his decision to step down will provide an opportunity for other disabled Kenyans to take up the challenge and bring new ideas and laws to the table.
During his tenure, Sankok has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the disabled and minority communities in Parliament.
He has tabled numerous bills, including the Gender Bill, which introduced the two-thirds rule, and has supported crucial legislation.
As the Chairperson of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, Sankok implemented significant changes, including the introduction of sign language interpreters.
However, he resigned from the position despite receiving massive support, citing the need for new leadership.
In 2019, Sankok was ranked as one of the best-performing MPs in a survey by Mzalendo, a testament to his hard work and dedication.
He attributed his success to the Kenyans who pushed him to excel beyond his limits.
Notably, Sankok has been critical of his colleagues who have been absent from Parliament, missing out on crucial sessions due to their focus on constituency work.
He urged them to reconsider their salaries, as they were elected to be active in Parliament and represent their people.
‘We have three arms of government: Judiciary, Parliament, and Executive. In Parliament, we have three roles to play: oversight, representation, and legislative. Building roads and supplying electricity is the role of the Executive and President Uhuru Kenyatta. Don’t lie to Kenyans,’ Sankok said in an interview with NTV.
He defended his representation of the disabled community, stating that their issues cut across various perspectives and that representing them was equal to representing his constituents.
