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{
    "id": 836582,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836582/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 126,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity. I will not be long because a lot has been said. I just want to point out one aspect of this Bill. First of all, allow me to congratulate Sen. Cheruiyot for this timely Bill. The issues around exploitation, abuse, neglect and all the rights that accrue to older members of the society have all been said, and I will not belabour that. However, I would like to mention one thing. The right to dignity of older people is not one that we are giving, but is inherent and needs to be protected for them. That said, there is one aspect of participation in the society by the older people, especially the retirement at the age of 60. This needs to be looked into. My worry is for us not to replicate models of care and protection of our older people that are based on alien notions of foster homes or homes that are managed in a different manner. A few of the Senators that contributed, including the former Attorney General Emeritus, mentioned about the family and the need to have a model that is very African and Kenyan. This Bill is very innovative. I like the innovations around home- based and community-based care that lends itself to the African setting and the model that would work for us, as Kenyans. The older people have a right to participate in the society. I am sponsoring a Bill that has been brought before with regards to preservation of human dignity and enforcement of social and economic rights. This Bill is aligned to that thinking because it makes sure that we give dignity to our older members of the society. However, dignity is not just about giving people food and shelter. It goes to the core of participation in society and people feeling that they are valued and have a contribution to make. This is where I would like to dwell on a little bit, if you allow me. Older people have a right to work and participate in social and political lives to a level that is appropriate for them. In our societies in the past, the elder people gave direction and blessings, like Sen. Cherargei said. They gave advice, counsel and mitigated against certain conflicts. We are losing all these. I hope that this Bill, which is part of Articles 57 and 28 of the Constitution that seek to preserve the dignity of the older people, will empower and provide them with certain roles and responsibilities in society and work to do. The older persons should be able to work, be it in the political or socio-economic space. We should find them something to do. Many people who are 60 years and above 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."
}