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{
    "id": 836528,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836528/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 72,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“In ensuring that the national Government fulfills its obligations under subsection (1), the Authority shall- Adopt a comprehensive national strategy and plan of action and policies to promote realization of the rights of older members of society under Article 57 of the Constitution and put in place measures designated to improve the general welfare of older members of society” That is well articulated at the national level. At the county level, this Bill advocates for county assemblies to cascade this Bill into the counties and probably come up with a framework of a Bill that is quite close to this one that contextualize the issues within that specific county. This is important because there are many cultural and societal issues that come in, which will probably be handled within specific cultural and ethnic groupings. The issue of finances needs to come out a lot more clearly. Where will money for the various programmes that are being advocated for come from? How will the health and educational benefits be incorporated? How will they have an infrastructure? For example, will we need to further legislate at the county level, the way we have done for educational institutions, that there must be a home-care based institutions within the various counties? How many will they be per ward or constituency? It is important that this does not become the basis for abuse of the older people. Sometimes having institutional care, even if it is safe, can be a curse. We have seen narratives and research that has been made in home-care institutions, where older people who went there expecting to be taken care of better, were abused in those centres. It would be a sad thing if those institutions do not have that control. This Bill takes cares of that in terms of the fine of Kshs500,000 and one year jail term requirement if somebody contravenes the specific clauses in this particular Bill. That is very important, but as usual, there is legislation and enactment. It is important that enactment is actualized by taking people in and indicating that they have been imprisoned because of contravening that particular clause. This will create and impinge a sense responsibility and ensure that we respect and care for our elderly. Clause 6 (2) (b) and (c), state the importance of research and data collection, which is very important. The Bill also talks about the registration of the older people and institutions. For example, we have the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Bill that is being processed, so that we do not have the registration of ECDE centres coming up arbitrarily. There should be a methodology and format for that to happen. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is also time for Kenya to stop thinking about registrations along all the steps. For example, registrations for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), people who are 18 years and older members of the society. If the definition of an older member is 60 years, we can have a joint unitary system that records people from birth and we will find them at 60 years. Therefore, at 60 years, the provision that a person is meant to end up with are given to them. If it is pension schemes, they should be pegged to that unique number that they have, so that the moment they retire, the pension can kick in immediately, so that they do not have to suffer or struggle to look for that payment over and over. 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."
}