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{
    "id": 584948,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/584948/?format=api",
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    "content": "the civil servants in Kenya, you start being called an old man or woman. It is, therefore, important to underscore the importance of this Bill coming at this time. It is important that all of us discuss even what will happen to the future of our people and that of the nation. This is about the people because without them, you cannot talk of there being peace or long economic order. In this respect, therefore, the Bill tries to embrace what is important for the country. A country like Kenya, in all aspects, has been known to be the hub and wonder of the East African region and a destination of many countries which are trying to find their investments. That tells us that we are okay and all we need to do is harness what we get from the investors for the future investment of our people. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we also note that as we advance in age, say 60 to 90 years, many people feel that the old men and women are a liability to their children. It is regrettable that some children feel that old people are a bother to them, when the same man or woman grew old bringing up the same person who towards the end, will say that this old person is a nuisance. You will then find most of the old people moving from rural to urban areas. This is one of the factors which have contributed to rural-urban migration and high population, be it in Nairobi or in other urban centres. This leads to depopulation of some of towns or rural areas in the country, resulting in uneven distribution of some factors of production. This has led to imbalances to both rural and urban areas. It is also important to note that it is a constitutional requirement that the country takes care of the old. We have to be seen to be conforming to the Constitution. In this conformity, we have to do it going by the letter and the word. According to Article 57 of the Constitution, the aged are supposed to participate in the society. We must see to it that the old are not left to rot. We should make sure that they also participate in society because society continues. The Government should attend to personal development of these old people. We should not imagine that at the age of 65 or 70 years when they retire, they become redundant and imbeciles. These are people who have wise ideas and should even be consulted more often. In fact, they should even form SACCOS where consultation will be seen to be the in thing. That is what happens in some developed countries. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, apart from retiring at the age of 60 or 65 years and you are forgotten, in some countries like Canada, you will find people working up to 80 years. Further, you never even know when they will retire because they are still comfortable and they contribute many ideas to the development of their country. This is what the Bill is asking us to address. It is also important that the country has to thank and recognise the efforts made by these old people. What did they do when they were young? Some of them may have participated in the struggle for Independence, like we have seen quite a number of them did in the early and late 1950s. We have seen many courageous people having suffered torture and even later on in the Nyayo House Torture Chambers. All that was because they wanted to leave Kenya a better country. We need to recognise these efforts. Some of them were maimed and disabled by the same Government and they continue to suffer in the name of the country that they struggled very much to ensure that we get our independence. So the Bill, therefore, is 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."
}