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{
    "id": 1347745,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1347745/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 238,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Luanda, DAP-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Dick Oyugi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for allowing me to share my ideas. Allow me to appreciate the author of the Bill for a timely and well-thought-out idea. It will fill an existing gap within our legislation. It is always said that old is gold but in Kenya, we do not treat our elderly like gold as a result of a gap in our legislation. Article 57 of the Constitution is very clear about the rights of the elderly. As captured by earlier speakers, we have been unable to come up with legislation that can give life to Article 57 of our Constitution, where elderly people are treated with respect and dignity. Elderly people in Kenya have been neglected many times by their grownup children, relatives and the state. In some instances, they have even been taunted as witches and tortured. This piece of legislation will go a long way in trying to address that gap. Many times, they are left to fend for themselves after their productive years yet their bones and muscles are tired and weak. The Bill addresses a number of issues that elderly people are exposed to. Kenya’s population is about 50 million as per the figures captured in the 2019 Census. People aged 60 years and above make up 2.9 per cent or 3 per cent of our population. They have been neglected; no one cares about them. Our youth are busy chasing after money, which is so rare nowadays. They live in towns and forget their elderly parents back in the villages. This Bill is addressing that gap with a view to ensure that the rights of elderly people are respected. Recently, we were trying to register for the token given to the elderly and we saw masses of people who had come to be registered. The Ksh2,000 they get per month may be little, but it is better than nothing. Some of those people have huge medical bills that they need to take care of, while some live in very deplorable conditions - like houses with leaking roofs. Others have no food, access to medical attention or warm clothing. Their rights are trampled upon. But this Bill will address the big gap that currently exists. I, therefore, support. Thank you."
}