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{
    "id": 836491,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836491/?format=api",
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    "content": "not common in Africa. The fact that there is now an obvious and clear need to provide for this, not just to a moral, but also to an economical issue. In as much as our parents were able to take care of their parents; and some of us are still able to take care of our parents, it is unfortunate that our children might not be able to take care of us in the future if our economy is not looked at and provided for properly. Having said that, currently as it is, there are very many Kenyans struggling in the rural and urban areas, especially those who call the urban areas home. This is because they are not able to provide for their parents who are aged 70and above. Something needs to be done. That is why when this was brought to us, we took it up with a lot of pomp, alacrity and enthusiasm and we sought to get a better understanding of these issues. We had representation from HelpAge International, which has one of the longest running centres for the care of older persons in the society. They told us that there are certain elements of our Constitution that aspires to look at these issues. Article 57 of the Constitution is clear on the older members of society. Article 10 is on national values and principles of governance, while the Bill of Rights in Article 21 talks about the issue of the implementation of rights and fundamental freedoms. Article 27 talks about freedom from discrimination and it has a whole list of the kind of people that one should not discriminate against; and also, the economic and social rights. Mr. Speaker, Sir, HelpAge International appeared before and proposed amendments. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) also brought their proposals, and we are very grateful to them. We were also impressed that mainstream churches such as the Pentecostal, Catholic and the Anglican Church; and also, Christ is the Answer Ministries. They have departments within their own Ministries that take care of older persons in Nairobi and in the entire country. Some of them requested additional support in the cash transfers that go to older people. We had Mau Mau Governing Council of Kenya, the Uasin Gishu Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) organisation and the Kenya Senior Citizens Welfare Association of Retired Older Persons from West Pokot County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, when you look at this Bill, the second part is very clear on the specific rights that are conferred on older members of the society. It sets out the duties of the national and county governments. The law is clear that the national Government is in charge of setting up the policy and the strategy. It is supposed to adapt it; while the county governments are charged with the implementation. Therefore, this is a function that is clearly within the purview of the county governments to provide for the implementation of the national policy and strategy on the care for older members of the society. The functions of the national Government under the Bill are largely conferred on the National Social Assistance Authority, which was established under Section 3 of the Social Assistance Act of 2013 and the board, which is appointed by the national Government. The next part talks about the care; and in particular, the establishment and implementation of community and home-based care programmes for older members of the society. We are biased towards encouraging and being able to facilitate family members to have the capacity to care for them before taking them to any home, because 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."
}