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{
    "id": 1347759,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1347759/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 252,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui South, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13374,
        "legal_name": "Richard Ken Chonga Kiti",
        "slug": "richard-ken-chonga-kiti"
    },
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to add my voice on this very important Bill that has been moved by the Member for Githunguri, Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba. As Hon. Gathoni was moving this Bill, I listened to her and the Seconder very keenly. I took time to look at it and realised that this is a very important Bill that seeks to put into effect Article 57 of the Constitution. Our country has been very keen on ensuring that matters of the youth, people with disability, people living with cancer and people with HIV and AIDS are taken care of through various ministries and state agencies. But we realise that the matter of the elderly has not been looked into very well. This Bill seeks to establish a council for the elderly in our country, which is very important. It is also going to give an opportunity to the elderly to age gracefully. All of us are aware that, as one attains 50 years and above, they experience various kinds of diseases. Some of those people do not have anyone to take care of them. It is important for the country to get concerned so that the elderly people can have longer and happier lives. I realised that the Committee has looked at the Bill very well. While Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a was debating this Motion, she indicated how deeply the Committee engaged on it and even looked at the title of the Bill which is quite scientific, so that they can make it simpler and easier for people to appreciate. This Bill is also going to ensure that people can be provided with healthcare. This calls upon both the national Government and county governments through the Ministry of Health to ensure that it is properly planned by having the proper statistics of the number of people who are past the age of 60 or 70 as it will be agreed by the House, and give dignity to them. The Government of His Excellency William Samoei Ruto has done very well by ensuring that the elderly get Ksh2000 monthly. It would be a very welcome move to have a situation where an elderly person who is over 70 years knows that they can walk to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment and not pay bills. Health is expensive and important and so; this must be very well planned. I do not want to finish my contribution to this without talking about what other people are doing in other parts of the world. As we talk about people over 70 years who are sickly, not able to take care of themselves and who may not have family members who can take care of them, we should not forget what is happening in other countries where people are working towards longevity of life by ensuring that even those who are 80 are strong enough to live their lives in a more comfortable way. This is a big research. I would like to quote Dr Sinclair who I have been following. He says that: ‘Age is a disease.’ There is a possibility of living beyond 130 years if people are given proper nutrition that the elderly had before we were introduced 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."
}