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{
    "id": 907519,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/907519/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 320,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "that we and our children seek, the highest visits by Members of this House is to those that offer mental healthcare. However, when we come here, we pretend because we must look macho, as if we have got it all going on. Needless to say, even we need that kind of support especially considering the stressful nature of our work. We must, therefore, be at the forefront in fighting the stigma associated with mental illness. The purpose of this Bill is to promote mental health and the wellbeing of all persons, coordinate the prevention of mental illness, reduce the impact, promote recovery of the victims and ensure that the rights of people suffering mental illness is protected and safeguarded. Our Constitution has certain references that need to be amended. Qualifications like being of sound mind--- What is an unsound mind? Who measures the soundness of our minds before we vie? If that provision was seriously taken into consideration, many Members here would not be allowed to vie for office. If we were to be judged by the things we do when in office, they do not go hand in hand with the people who confess to be of sound mind. This is not something to be ridiculed. There are many aspects of mental illnesses. There is schizophrenia, bipolar, autism et cetera . There are many children who are highly talented. Last week I had the opportunity of visiting one of my nephews who is autistic. Unfortunately, his parents cannot afford to take him to a high-end school. However, just by attending Mirema Primary School in Roysambu, the boy’s abilities have come out. That boy has skills in art and music. When music is played, he becomes a different person. This is not the case for other children with autism. We see children with autism and other mental illness being locked up. We are not giving them an opportunity to get education. That is a big shame for our Government and leaders. The strength of a country is not based on the military or the reserves of the new bank notes or dollars, but what we do for the most vulnerable in society. Many of these children can do well given the opportunity. I am glad that this Bill talks about, not only the standards to be maintained by health facilities, but the responsibility of the national and county governments to provide for those who require mental health services. A few years ago, our President celebrated his 50th birthday. As his friends, we decided to visit one of such homes in Lang’ata called Therapies for Kids, which is run by the sister to the Senator for Kajiado. She is called Simaton. We found many children who---."
}