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{
    "id": 1195439,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1195439/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 283,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kesses, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Julius Rutto",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "their lives because of getting exposed to the COVID-19 virus in their way of address and support to the society. It is on this merit that we have to be candid in our discussion. I appreciate the fact that families form a unit of a nation; and the people who help us keep families together back in our society are none other than the village elders. I want us to visualise the same people… When a farmer, teacher or Member of Parliament wakes up in the morning to attend to their duties, the elders wake up to small issues in our villages. As we know, big issues start small. At that basic level where they are able to meddle and address issues, where they are able to bring people in dispute together and sort out the small challenges so that as a nation we realise our desired peace and cohesion, we have to appreciate that they are very crucial in our society. As pastoralists, we always refer to them as “where the rubber meets the tarmac.” It is at that level that even the Government is able to execute its programmes down to the people. You cannot tell me today as much as we have a chief and sub-chief being remunerated… That sub-chief would require support of the village elders. I was an accounting security member for finance and for all our programmes to succeed all the time, we had to engage the village elders. It is a moment to recognise and appreciate their service. I appreciate the Member who came up with the Motion that we need to legislate. I am sure the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, however much we discuss and approve this Motion, will not factor in sufficient resources. Nobody should tell us that there is no money to pay them. The opposite is real, that even the much they are contributing if at all we have to tabulate and value the contribution to our society, our Government will not compensate. It is time we considered them even if we are to pay and start a stipend or recognise them by providing essential services like health care by paying for them NHIF, NSSF, commuter allowances and provide their basic needs to enable them support their households. In doing so, we will have made a milestone. It is in the spirit of this Constitution that we are trying to focus and build a nation of cohesion, unity and peace. As I conclude, I consider the fact that we have elderly people where as a matter of practice, and for quite some time, have been receiving the cash transfers. As I speak, I can just describe it as “hot air.” They know that they have a right to access it but in reality it is not in practice. As we discuss this Motion, we should implore upon the Ministry or the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government to ensure that we actualise it so that we have a society that is certain and satisfied with the country they belong. We have such serious elders in my village who assisted me. I can mention Madam Sally. She is an elderly lady but has done a lot even during the campaigns. Kesses Constituency is a cosmopolitan area and believe you me it was difficult to bring the communities together. They however played a vital role by bringing the communities together until we were able to forge a clear direction as the people of Kesses. If we are to go that direction, we will realise a Kenya that is unified. Thank you so much. I support the Motion."
}