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"content": "need the younger people. We have been showing very evidently that, as young people, we also need some amount moderation. I want to thank the Minister for agreeing with me very spiritedly. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to say that I am happy that Members of the Back Bench are very cognizant of what the provisions of the Constitution are. We should ensure the effective implementation of the Constitution. This is because if you look at the Constitution, this Motion is a response to Article 43 on Economic and Social Rights. It provides that every person has the right to the highest sustainable standard of health, accessible and adequate housing and sanitation, to be free from hunger, clean and safe water, social security and education. To me, this specifically answers the issue in Article 43(1)(e), which is the right to social security. I would like to encourage the Minister that it should not just stop with the protection of older persons. We need a more comprehensive social protection policy and law. I want to laud Dr. Joyce Laboso, who has drafted a comprehensive Bill on social protection, which covers not just older persons but all vulnerable and poor persons. She has done this with the support of the Parliamentary Caucus on Children and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Caucus. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to indicate that this Motion is also in response to Article 57 of the Constitution, that acknowledges that we have older members of the society who need special protection. This is not only because they are old and are no longer able to take care of themselves, but also because of the HIV/AIDS; many of the older persons take care of young children. They take care of child-headed households. About three years ago, when I had not joined Parliament, one of the research that was done by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) showed that in Siaya District alone there were 5,000 child-headed households, meaning that there were no fathers and mothers. Children took care of children. There are also households that are taken care of by older members of the society. We need to take care of them so that they are able to take care of our children. One of the things a social protection policy acknowledges, even under the law, is that we shall progressively realize these rights. Therefore, we should not be discouraged. From what I heard Prof. Kamar say, we should reduce the age so that we cover a few more old people. Even if we put the age at 60 years, so long as there is commitment towards progressive realization of the objective, it is okay. For me, the challenge is that we need to provide a definition of who an older person is. Is he aged 60 years or 50 years? Finally, I would want to say that there is need for information on the pilot project on older persons. Many people, even from the debate we receive from hon. Members, in their constituencies are challenged. They are saying, âWe can hear neighbouring constituencies receiving money for older persons. We can hear a neighbouring village getting this money. We can hear a neighbouring estate getting. What about us? How come we are not receiving it?â I am challenging the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Development that they need to explain the criteria that they used in identifying older persons in specific areas, and that in future that process will need to be inclusive of Parliament and the public, because it is a constitutional requirement. With those few remarks, I support."
}