Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 836526,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836526/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 70,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Indeed, legislation is changing in many developed countries to allow these people to continue working within their communities because they have the expertise. In fact, in other sectors – like in the banking sector; and I think it has even happened in Kenya – at one time they went for young people, but they realized that they needed the older people who tended to be more faithful, resilient, and more honest. These qualities come as very important. The issue of healthcare, housing and mental health all come in as very important because they are issues that actually make the older members of society to become a marginalized group of sorts. Therefore, it is important to address these issues. Mr. Speaker, Sir, aspects of this whole nation have been addressed in other various ways because the authority formed within this Bill is already formed from the National Social Assistance Act. We are actually giving responsibilities to the National Social Assistance Authority and enabling them to continue playing this critical role. It has been said by other Senators – and I do not want to repeat it – that sometimes we have not treated our older members the way we ought to treat them. It is sad. Some people look at the eyes of a 60 year old woman and say that she looks like a witch, yet she probably has cataract at that point. There are families that have even organized for their older members to be killed. In some communities, it has to do with issues of land. The younger people may want the land to be sold, yet the older ones want to still keep it for posterity. In other places, it is as a result of the economic burden. Some people may feel that they cannot take care of their elderly parents anymore and so, they wish them dead. If they do not die soon enough, they actually kill them. All these contextualize the importance of having a home-based care system, which this Bill advocates for, so that all these can be addressed substantially. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Clause 3 (a) is very clear. It provides a framework that promotes the rights of older members of society as enshrined under the Constitution. Specific articles and sub-articles in the Constitution are very clear. Older members of the society have a right to participate in the affairs of the society in all ways, as long as they are able to do that. It is important that their personal growth is taken into consideration. Their health, economic and cultural outcome becomes important. They have to be dignified and given the respect that they need. At the end of the day, as has been mentioned in the Bill, funds need to be made available for this. If we do not have a specific provision indicating where the money will come from, it will be a bit confusing. This Bill gives responsibilities at both the national and county level. At the national level it has an authority and stipulates what it will be in charge of. Clause 6 states that- “The national and county governments shall to the extent of their Constitution mandate promote the care, maintenance and protection of older members of society in Kenya”. Clarity has to be made in terms of specific roles. At the level of authority, that is done. Clause 6 (2)(a) states that- 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."
}