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{
    "id": 1347725,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1347725/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 218,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marakwet West, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Timothy Kipchumba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " That is in order so that we can have the Council for Elderly Bill instead of the Geriatric Bill. For the avoidance of doubt, if you read Article 57 of the Constitution, which as I said is very progressive, you will see that it provides very clearly that the State shall take measures to ensure the rights of older persons to fully participate in the affairs of society, to pursue their personal development, to live in dignity and respect and be free from abuse, and to receive reasonable care and assistance from their families and the State. These are constitutional provisions. The elderly are not in this country on invitation but by right. In Clause 2 of this Bill on interpretation, for the first time, ‘elderly person’ has been defined to mean a person who has attained the age of 60 years. For the first time, an elderly person has not been defined in the Constitution but this Bill defines who an elderly person is. This ensures that if someone retires from active service, there is a law in place with specific provisions on the definition of the elderly. Elderly persons in this country have suffered in terms of pension. Look at the provision in Clause 7(b). It provides that the Council shall handle matters to do with pensions. I have had issues from my constituents. There are teachers who retired at the age of 60 but they cannot get their pension until the age of 70 because of serious irregularities involving their employer. If we have the proposed council in place, it can pursue the interests of elderly persons who cannot access their retirement benefits even after retiring from public service. 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."
}