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{
    "id": 905698,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/905698/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 159,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "That is a term that has been used on political opponents to paint them as being unfit to hold public office. A lot of stigma has accompanied mental health issues to the extent that when one is admitted to Mathari Mental Hospital in Nairobi, it is considered to be something close to a death sentence. Indeed, we have seen through exposes in the media and reports of committees of this House that the state of the counties premier mental health institutions is one that closely resembles a correctional facility or a prison, for lack of better words. People go in there with slight mental illnesses and, unfortunately, come out worse than they went in, as a result of the conditions they are subjected to, the treatments they are given and lack of professionalism of the people who are kept there to handle them. So, it is timely that we provide clarity on the constitutional requirement that no person shall be left behind in this country and that every citizen of this country has got certain fundamental rights. This Bill provides for the following additional rights of persons with mental illnesses: the right to civil, political and economic rights; right to access to information; right to confidentiality; right to representation and right to recognition before the law. I have had a brief conversation with the Mover of this Amendment Bill and the question was on the rights of persons with mental illnesses to stand or run for public office or certain offices, and the right they have to enter into contractual agreements. It is clear that the Mover of this Amendment Bill does not seek to reverse the long-held legal principle that there are certain states that would invalidate contracts. The Mover of the Bill wants to ensure even persons who are certified to be having mental disabilities do not lose their right to representation. The implication of this is that no one would be barred from voting or taking part in an electoral process as a voter on account of their mental status. It will be an issue for other more intelligent people to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}