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{
    "id": 618175,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/618175/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 363,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. For a long time, the whole world of adoption has been sort of mysterious and not well encouraged, especially in Kenya. It was felt that it is so natural for everybody to be able to give birth, every woman will give birth and that every man will be able to get a child. The reality is changing and many factors are creating this change. Part of that change is coming about because people are staying longer before they get married. In the 1960s and 1970s, the marriage age was about 20. It has now risen to about 30. Definitely with age, problems in terms of fertility, pregnancies and giving birth do occur. Over time, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is a new notion that is coming in. That is the notion of adoption. The reason there has not been enough legislative action towards issues of adoption is because for a long time, there has not been some sort of serious discourse that has taken place along the issues of adoption. In fact, even along the issues of fertility or lack of it, I know there is a Bill that was coming in the National Assembly on for example, invitro-fertilization. I think it has caused quite a stir because people are looking at it and thinking if it is something pertinent for us in Kenya, if it is something we should be discussing in Kenya and if it is really real. Therefore, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to congratulate Sen. Wangari for bringing this amendment to the Employment Act and looking at the specific sector of people who have been left out for a long time. What is interesting about this Bill is that it just does not touch on those who are even adopting; it touches on those who are adopted. The Bill really gives us clear classification of the various times that should be given for maternity and paternity leaves that should be provided depending on the age of the child. That is very critical because we know the younger a child is, the more bonding there ought to be. When you are the biological mother, the bonding is easier because you might be breastfeeding or you feel that there is a hereditary link to the child. Therefore, it is very easy and natural for the bonding to take place. It is more difficult for those who are adopting somebody’s child; sometimes you know or you may know the parents or it could be a relative and therefore, you need more time. This is critical because as Sen. Kanainza said, it is not just about physical growth but about psychological and social growth and becoming a member of the family. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know that adoption rules do not allow recanting of adoption. Once you have adopted a child, then that is your child. That is as good as your natural child. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if one can seek leave to take care of their natural child, there is no reason one should not take leave to take care of an adopted child. The moment a child is adopted she must be taken care of. Therefore, all that is stipulated must be put into effect. We should get to a point where we express how the three months should be spent. For example, when paternity leave is granted, many men will not be anywhere near the baby. When they are given the baby to hold, they look at the mother and ask if she is The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}