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{
    "id": 1079786,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1079786/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Makueni, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Daniel Maanzo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2197,
        "legal_name": "Daniel Kitonga Maanzo",
        "slug": "daniel-kitonga-maanzo"
    },
    "content": "Another matter which is of great importance is the issue of retirement benefit schemes. Managers, custodians and administrators are to be registered so that there is a system. This is very important and I want us to work on it because many people end up in retirement, and again, they are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their old age. The younger children in school are stronger and survive COVID-19 without much problems as compared to older persons. Research which has come from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection that has been confirmed by the Cabinet Secretary of the said Ministry has shown that in the lower eastern region, they had 95 people who lived longer and also in some parts of the Rift Valley. This was associated with certain eating habits and how the younger people in those homes have taken care of the elderly. The issue of taking care of the elderly is very important and beneficial because they carry historical memories. Some of them witnessed Independence when some of us were not there during that time. They saw the struggle. That particular history has to be carried on through stories being told to the younger generation. When we mistreat our retired older people especially when there is no proper medical care for them, it means that when the problems of COVID-19 and other health associated problems set in, there are higher chances of us losing the older persons in the society. I am sure Kenyans are quite familiar with a number of older persons who were very useful, healthy, strong and walking around before COVID-19, but after COVID-19, we no longer have them. So, the idea of retirement benefit schemes should be looked into so that they are well managed and the people who are in charge of them make sure that there is no exploitation. At the same time, we should make sure that the terms are favourable so that people can afford medical insurance in that regard as we take care of our older persons. This will ensure that many generations to come benefit and reap blessings for the country. That is one of the issues which had happened. Kenyans consume bread a lot. So, I congratulate the Committee and the Government for having zero-rated the cost of bread. It should remain like that for quite some time until the economy picks. At times, wheat is grown locally or even imported to make sure that we have enough of it. Wheat products are used every morning and every other time of the day. It is a big industry which also employs many people at this particular moment when industries are closing and many people have lost jobs. While dealing with this, we should encourage the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). There are some challenges facing the local industry. One of the things the CS, Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development is trying to address, and I am sure about that because I am in the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, is about industrialists who are residents in the country, but may not be citizens of this country. Some of them have come to settle here. They have huge investments here and they pay taxes. However, they face serious challenges when it comes to processing their documentation in the country. For The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}