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"id": 1073142,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1073142/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13188,
"legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
"slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
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"content": "When we look at this Bill, the principle Bill was in 1989 before the 2010 Constitution. That has implication that the principle Bill does not cater for county governments. When you are talking of the 2010 Constitution, all services were devolved meaning that this Bill does not really cater for that common Kenyan. This is because it has not been devolved. Madam Temporary Speaker, when you look at the amendments that Sen. Kasanga has brought on board, these are amendments that as a Senate we should push for and hope that the National Assembly will fast-track this Bill. This is so that it becomes a matter of law. The Amendment Section 248 that Sen. Kasanga proposes is important. According to the amendment, she has substituted the Long Title. In the Long Title that she has substituted, we see that it incorporates the prevention of mental illness. This is important because when you are talking about mental health, we must be alive to the fact that mental health can also be prevented. It also speaks about provision for care for persons with mental health. It umbrellas treatment of mental health. It talks about rehabilitation of mental health and general management of persons with mental health. Madam Temporary Speaker, mental health does not mean that when someone has a mental issue then the world has come to an end for that person. There are various causes of mental health. Some of them can be addressed directly or indirectly. Some of the causes of the mental health which the title has captured is stress, financial problems, loss of loved ones, divorce and underlying problems like diabetes. These issues that cause mental stress affect all Kenyans. Common wananchi go through these problems. When it comes to issues of finances, you will find that there are people who have a large family. They are not able to support the children and family. They are not able to provide their families’ needs. That can lead to mental health. Madam Temporary Speaker, such an issue can very well be addressed if the person is talked to, counselled and advised on how to manage the resources. Some people also go through mental health because their loved one has passed on. Such people need to be counselled and be comforted and all that. That is addressing prevention of mental health before the problem becomes a big issue that is not manageable. Sometimes even issues of divorce can lead to mental health. I have seen people sometimes after a divorce walking on the streets and talking to themselves. Some of them look like they have run mad and all that. The case is that they need counselling and to be talked to. They need to be comforted that the world does not come to an end. It is possible to move on with life. Madam Temporary Speaker, some of these issues can be addressed. I thank the Mover of this Bill that she has come out to state clearely about prevention of mental health. When people have mental problems, sometimes they are isolated, abandoned and there is that stigma that goes with mental health. Sometimes you find people being named and name-calling destroys a person. A name can make you feel like you are demeaned. Name-calling can also reduce your confidence. Some of these things need to be addressed. It is good that the Long Title captures that."
}