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"id": 1120355,
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"content": "Ageing adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002, are examples of such initiatives that are used as instruments for addressing issues of older persons. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Vienna Plan of Action seeks to strengthen the capacities of Governments and civil society to deal with the ageing population and address the developmental potential and dependency needs of older persons. It promotes regional and international cooperation. It includes 62 recommendations for action in addressing issues such as research, data collection and analysis, training and education. It also has salient sectors such as health and nutrition, housing, environment, family, social welfare, income and security. The Madrid Plan of Action is a response to opportunities and challenges of populations aging in the 21st Century. Madam Deputy Speaker, Kenya has made tremendous efforts in advancing the rights of the elderly. In 2007, the Government of Kenya, in a practical attempt to help the older persons, started the Older Persons Cash Transfer Pilot Project in Thika and Nyando and later implemented it in Busia under the Rapid Response Initiative. This programme later transitioned to the current Inua Jamii programme. The programme has embraced not only the elderly, but also the vulnerable and Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs). Madam Deputy Speaker, the rights of the elderly are enshrined in Article 57(a)- (d) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which stipulate that- “Older persons have a right to- Participate in affairs of the society, pursue personal development, live in dignity and respect, and receive reasonable care and assistance from the family and state.” Madam Deputy Speaker, it is not only regrettable, but also sad that despite the constitutional provisions, older people face a lot of challenges. Most live a lonely life, are abandoned by their own families, lack medication and appropriate nutrition, healthcare services and social security. Some elderlies are cut off from their families and left in the care of homes. Some are isolated to the extent of remaining in solitude. This brings them down and reduces their dignity. Sometimes they hardly get a phone call from those that were once close to them. As we commemorate the International Day of the Elderly, I call upon all Kenyans to defend Article 57(a)-(d) of the Constitution by reaching out to the elderly and appreciating them. Some of the ways of showing appreciation include spending time with them, being polite, asking for advice, eating together, discussing family heritage, history and traditions, calling them, visiting them and reassuring them of love and appreciation. Madam Deputy Speaker, I am also calling upon county governments to create a biodata of all their elderly and build county recreational facilities for them, establish social security and obligatory health services for them and keep reporting to Parliament periodically on the mechanisms put in place to uplift their lives. In conclusion, I call upon the Government to strengthen the cash transfer programme services by increasing the amount of money given to the elderly and make"
}