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{
    "id": 417994,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/417994/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 247,
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    "content": "THAT, aware that a good percentage of Kenya’s population is made up of Kenyans aged 70 years and above and that some of them are affected by senile dementia but have no one to take care of them owing to the reality of changing circumstances; appreciating the introduction of social support programmes by the national Government; concerned, however, that the Government has not comprehensively addressed the challenges of the aged; further concerned that the magnitude of the problem of the aged is enormous; the Senate urges the national Government to develop a comprehensive policy for the aged and initiate innovative projects to enable them access necessary care and live dignified lives. Before I move the amendment, let me take this opportunity to thank Prof. Lesan for this well thought Motion which is a brilliant idea. The Motion shows that this Senate cares and is concerned about the elderly people in this country. If we are blessed by God, we are all heading there and it is a fact that we cannot run away from. I moved this amendment so that we could delete the idea of establishing small scale residential homes and hon. G. G. Kariuki has alluded to that. That is un-African and it goes against our culture. I cannot imagine myself sending my old mother to a home to be taken care of. I cannot imagine that. If we want to help these elderly people, let us help them while they are in their own homes. We should not send them to institutional homes. The idea of homes has worked in the developed world and European countries and even in the USA but I do not think we have reached that stage as a country. It is a taboo, to some of us, in some of our cultures to send our parents away from home. These people took care of us in our tender age and it is now our responsibility to take care of them. Therefore, the amendment I am moving will maintain the spirit of the Motion. What the hon. Senator wanted is for the Government to develop a comprehensive policy for the elderly people. We are still maintaining that and insisting that the Government must develop a comprehensive policy. He is asking the Government to initiate innovative projects so that these people can access care and live a dignified life. That is the gist of this Motion and that is what we are supporting. The only thing we are deleting is the establishment of homes for the aged. I want to start by saying that our country is one of those that have neglected the aged people or the senior citizens. This has happened in successive governments that have been established ever since we attained Independence in 1963. Many Governments like the Moi and the Kibaki governments came up with many projects, some for the youth, some for women but there was no project to help the elderly people. However, I want to thank President Kibaki and his administration because he came up with a programme where the elderly were supposed to be paid some stipend of Kshs2,000 or whatever figure it was, per month which was a wonderful idea. However, the idea was not well administered or managed. This idea was implemented selectively in some areas. When you visit some areas, you will find that some wazees have been receiving this stipend. However, in the area I come from; Vihiga County, I have gone round and I am yet to come across a single individual who has benefited from this The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}