Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1073101,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1073101/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 275,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.32 of 2018) is back again in this House. I remember the day when we moved this Bill and how well it was received in this House. I have to say that I am so proud of the Senators of Kenya, of this 12th Parliament. Because of them, the conversation of mental health has become a national conversation. Because of the Senators and their voices, the Executive has had no choice, but to rise to the occasion, recognise the impact that mental health has on Kenyans, on their lives, economy and their day to day businesses, and have begun to do something. Whereas it is unfortunate that the Bill had to come back to the House given the challenges that we had, I think it is also good to say that everything happens at its own time and at God’s timing. It is not really the wrong time, but of course, the wish of many Kenyans who we have walked this path together is that this Bill would have seen the light of day by today. Madam Temporary Speaker, we moved this Bill before COVID-19 came. When COVID-19 came, the underbelly of the gaps that are there really showed themselves. The cracks opened up and were exposed. They were exposed because the fact that we have not dealt with mental health as it should be, and giving it the prominence that it should be given, then Kenyans have really suffered during the COVID-19 times. I remember when we sat in the Ad hoc Committee of COVID-19 with Sen. Sakaja as the Chairperson, mental health was right at the centre and the Ministry had to come and tell us what they are doing about mental health. I am proud that at that time, we were all seized of the issues. Madam Temporary Speaker, we are here again; this Bill was brought back. Public participation was conducted and I really have to thank the Standing Committee of Health because, even in the first round, they gave it the time that it deserved with all the submissions that were brought. Even in the second round, still, several of submissions have come."
}