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{
    "id": 359859,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/359859/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 323,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chea",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1694,
        "legal_name": "Mwinga Gunga Chea",
        "slug": "mwinga-gunga-chea"
    },
    "content": "Not really, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. First, I want to thank hon. Idi for bringing this Motion to the Floor and I strongly support it. The question of enhancing the wellbeing of the elderly is not a favour. Article 43 of the Constitution speaks about the need to take care of the elderly. Hon. Members will agree with me that we have seen the elderly suffering in all parts of the country. Most of the elderly who are suffering have been victims of circumstances. There was a time when there was the Golden Handshake. Most of them were paid and they went home. They are now 60 years old and above. Most of the elderly people did not have proper education. Because of that, most of them had to be subjected to manual work. As a result, at the age of 60 years there is nothing substantive they can do. The elderly are suffering wherever they are. There is need for us to pass this Motion. There is need for the State to take care of senior citizens of this country. I am saying so with passion. We appreciate the fact that it is not only about the elderly; it also touches on their dependants. You realize that since we are Africans it is not unusual to find a 60 year old man with children attending kindergarten. They need total support. The State has a duty to support and protect its citizens. The issue of the elderly being supported financially contributed towards the elderly passing the present Constitution. This issue must also have dominated the manifestos of hon. Members. We promised that when we come to this House we will ensure that the elderly receive something substantial at the end of the month. I am not so comfortable with the issue of giving an elderly Kshs2,500 per month. That is not enough because as I have already stated even at the age of 60 years you still have dependants to take care of."
}