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{
    "id": 837273,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/837273/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 199,
    "type": "other",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, I thank the drafters of our Constitution for thinking about this. If you read through Article 57 of the Constitution of Kenya, it provides that:- “The State shall take measures to ensure the rights of older persons–– ( a ) to fully participate in the affairs of society; ( b ) to pursue their personal development;---” That is, whatever a person feels is assured to them at the age of 80 or 90. For example, is the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) friendly to older members of the society? What can be done to make it friendly? If you think about our public places – like banking halls and theatres – are there specific designated areas that are important for older members of society when they show up? Or should we leave it to the African customs and culture, where we know that we have to respect and treat the elderly in such a respectful manner? Back in the days, Madam Temporary Speaker, it was the norm rather than the exception that, for example, if a younger person is using public transport and an elderly person walks in, they should stand up and let them have the seat. However, this is no longer the case. We live in a society where people have become individualistic and they no longer see each other as one community. Therefore, it is important to provide the legal framework necessary to ensure that older people in the society are taken care of. Lastly, Madam Temporary Speaker, Article 57 of the Constitution also assures older persons that- “The State shall take measures to ensure the rights of older persons- ( c ) to live in dignity and respect and be free from abuse; and ( d ) to receive reasonable care and assistance from their family and the State.” It would be good for a family to take care of its elderly persons. However, the State also has to take care of its elderly people. We have to accept that the reality of life is that not every older person of society will have a family that will take care of them, provide for them and guarantee them their rights. Therefore, this Bill seeks to explicitly provide the necessary legal framework for the establishment of a system for the care and maintenance of older members of society. Madam Temporary Speaker, Part I of the Bill deals with the usual preliminary definitions, for example, who an older member of society is, as well as the objects and purpose of the Bill. Part II of the Bill breaks down the specific rights conferred upon older members of society pursuant to Article 57 of the Constitution. It specifically sets out the duties of national and county governments with respect to the realization of the rights of the older members of society as given to them. It provides and even segregates what is expected of the national Government to do to ensure that the rights of older members of society as enshrined in our Constitution are guaranteed; and what is expected of a county government. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}