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{
    "id": 1109270,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1109270/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I thank Sen. Kasanga because she has distinguished herself by becoming the champion of creating mental awareness. In the past, many people used to imagine that mental illness was because of sorcery or witchcraft or family DNA. During this period of COVID-19 pandemic, most people continue to suffer because of mental illness and depression. I am happy that the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines on mental health. I expect Sen. Kasanga to thank me because I am one of the people who pleaded when the National Assembly wanted the President to assent to 24 legislations and we went to court. If yours truly did not burn the midnight oil by drafting pleadings, the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill would have died a natural death. I agree with her that we need to decriminalize suicide. This is because in Kenya, when you commit suicide and die, there is no case. However, when you do not die, the police take you to hospital before taking you to prison. Maybe somebody is undergoing emotional torture. We have been witnessing university students commit suicide. We have also seen couples killing each other. Mental illness is a problem to the nation. In Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), there is a ward specifically for mentally ill patients. We also have Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. The Government must invest more in mental health to provide treatment to the mentally ill in this country. We must allocate more funds to MTRH. The Ministry of Health should also set aside more funds for Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital to ensure that mentally ill patients are taken care of. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I appreciate what Sen. Kasanga is doing. She has a full and unconditional support of the Senate."
}