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{
    "id": 1558969,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1558969/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 209,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Moiben, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Phylis Bartoo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Ministry, where the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, and the department staff are responsible for identification and registration. However, it is a very difficult task because they are also overwhelmed by other duties in their Ministry. It is important to have a very clear-cut way of dealing with vulnerable people. We have children, women and the aged. Many times, in my constituency, I encounter these people and they are always complaining. Some have been registered and they benefit, but others do not even know that this programme exists. We also have widows. So, it is important to make the process open and clear so that registration is not dependent on knowing the chief or village elder. I wish we had a desk or a centre in every constituency where vulnerable members of our society can just walk in and get assistance. This board should have data for everyone, so that with just the touch of a button, they can know who is there. Once money has been budgeted for these members of our society, disbursement should be consistent. Consistency is very important. They should not be at the mercy of someone who decides when to disburse the money, or claims that the National Treasury has not disbursed the funds. The vulnerable have problems, therefore, no one should take advantage of them or give them funds whenever he or she wants to. The funds should be consistently disbursed. We should not just give them cash transfers. We should empower them to have livelihoods. The Government may not be able to disburse funds every time. We can put them in homes for the elderly and homes for people living with disabilities, so that we can support them as a community. It should not just be about money. Sometimes family members take advantage of those who receive cash transfers. Sometimes the elderly receive cash and then somebody else transfers that money elsewhere. I have a case in my constituency where one elderly lady committed suicide because when she received the money, her grandson transferred the money to his phone and went on a drinking spree. She had received money in the bank for three cumulative transfers. She was so excited and thought that her life was going to change. Unfortunately, when her grandson transferred the money, she lost hope and committed suicide. We should have a legal framework to streamline the cash transfer process and also support the elderly. The elderly should also be trained on financial management, so that they do not get the money and spend it within one hour or one day, and eventually end up with nothing. I have an issue with the qualifications to be a member of the Board. For one to be a member of the Board, one must have a degree and 10 years experience. That qualification made me think about our youths. Our laws should be as inclusive as possible. The earliest that one can obtain a degree in Kenya is at the age of 21 or 23. The Bill adds the qualification of 10 years’ experience. That would mean that the earliest one can serve on the Board is at the age of 33. That will lock out our young people. That qualification should be revised so that the 10 years experience does not apply because it will disadvantage the youth. I support the Bill and look forward to it being operationalised so that we help the vulnerable in society once and for all. As society progresses, we are creating a gap between the haves and have-nots, the vulnerable and those who are not. The world is very unkind. If nobody holds the hands of the vulnerable, they will just be left on their own. It is our duty as religious people and as a Government to take care of the vulnerable. It is a biblical duty to support the vulnerable."
}