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{
    "id": 1163464,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1163464/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 478,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the chance to second this Motion by Sen. Nyamunga. Before I continue, allow me to thank Sen. Nyamunga for raising awareness and bringing this issue on the Floor of this House. It must be very clear that the neglect of the elderly is something that has happened since time immemorial, even during the olden days. We even see, for those of us who read the Bible in Psalms 71, an old person is clearly communicating with God. He is telling God that- “I have relied on you from the days of my youth, I have done this and that, but now that I am old, my hair has turned grey, do not reject and abandon me as I pass your laws to the next generation.” This is something that has always been there since time immemorial. I thank Sen. Nyamunga for bringing this Motion to this House. These people have perpetually been ignored and forgotten despite the fact that they contributed a lot to development our country during their active lives. It is possible for a parent to take care of 10 children, but it becomes very difficult for the 10 children to take of their parent who really struggled with them. When you look at our Constitution, it is very clear that the elderly have rights as provided under Article 57. It is stipulated clearly that the elderly have full rights to participate in affairs of the society to pursue personal developments, live in dignity, respect and be free from any form of abuse. This Motion by Sen. Nyamunga comes in handy to implement the provisions of Article 57 of the Constitution. It must be very clear that every person in this world as long as he has breath, he can develop himself. There is no optimal development. Even when you are elderly, it does not mean that you have reached optimal development. You reach optimal development when you have no breath. The issue that Sen. Nyamunga is bringing on the Floor of this House is a genuine concern and we must treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Two clear things that Sen. Nyamunga would like the Senate to do is to ensure that legislation is in place to protect the elderly. The other thing that she is asking the Senate to do on behalf of the elderly is to ensure there is capacity building on how this money is to be utilised. Honestly, we must endeavour to support the Government initiatives. When it comes to funds for the elderly, it is a trial that was done in 2008. The Government of Kenya did this when we had districts in place. They did it in Nyando, Thika and Busia districts before it was rolled to the rest of the country. This was an initiative to ensure that issues of poverty are brought to a stop. It has now gone to very many other counties. In every county the elderly people are supposed to be identified, protected and money sent to them. The Government"
}