{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=137707","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=137705","results":[{"id":1393471,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393471/?format=json","text_counter":270,"type":"heading","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"PROVIDING A SAFETY NET FOR CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES"},{"id":1393472,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393472/?format=json","text_counter":271,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, aware that, Article 21(3) of the Constitution provides that all State Organs have the duty to address the needs of vulnerable groups within the society; further aware that the persons with severe disabilities cash transfer programme (PWSD-CT) is one of the four cash transfer programmes implemented by the government as part of the overall social protection interventions; noting that caregivers undertaking the immense responsibility of providing daily care and assistance to persons with severe disabilities (PWSD) are oftentimes the immediate family members of the PWSD; concerned that, this causes a disproportionate burden on these families as persons who would otherwise be engaged in gainful employment or other activities to provide for the families are limited by these immense responsibilities; further concerned that, this loss of income opportunities and resources exacerbates the challenges faced by these families; cognizant that, the government ought to take action to recognize the invaluable contributions of caregivers and support them in caring for individuals with severe disabilities; now therefore, this House resolves that the government, through the Ministry of Labour & Social Protection, recognizes primary caregivers of persons with severe disabilities (PWSD) as a distinct category requiring social protection and support, and further, develops and implements a cash transfer programme for these primary caregivers."},{"id":1393473,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393473/?format=json","text_counter":272,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Temporary Speaker, this Motion seeks to provide safety nets for caregivers for persons with severe disabilities. Specifically, this Motion calls upon the Government to offer The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"},{"id":1393474,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393474/?format=json","text_counter":273,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":"social protection and support to caregivers through the implementation of a cash transfer programme for these persons. The objective of this is to alleviate the economic burden of such caregivers, thus improving their quality of life from a social and health perspective."},{"id":1393475,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393475/?format=json","text_counter":274,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":"According to the 2019 census report, 2.2 per cent, that is 0.9 million Kenyans live with some form of disability with the majority residing in rural areas. There is an established link between poverty and disability."},{"id":1393476,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393476/?format=json","text_counter":275,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"[The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’) left the Chair]"},{"id":1393477,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393477/?format=json","text_counter":276,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"[The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai) took the Chair]"},{"id":1393478,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393478/?format=json","text_counter":277,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":"Approximately over half of PWDs in Kenya are impoverished. The ones with severe disabilities cannot engage in any meaningful activity because of the enormous burden that they carry. Cash transfer to them is among a national social protection scheme for vulnerable groups. Its overall goal is to support poor households which have a member with severe disabilities who requires around the clock care. A regular transfer of Ksh2,000 per month is paid to the beneficiaries on a monthly basis."},{"id":1393479,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393479/?format=json","text_counter":278,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":"While the Social Assistance Act, 2013, provides for social assistance to persons with disabilities, it is very silent on caregivers’ welfare. The Act includes care in residential institutions in the definition of ‘financial assistance’, but it does not mention caregivers. Article 28 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, provides that every person has inherent dignity and the right to have that dignity respected and protected."},{"id":1393480,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393480/?format=json","text_counter":279,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Dorothy Muthoni","speaker":null,"content":"Article 43(1)(e) of the Constitution asserts that every person has the right to social security. Article 43(2) of the Constitution asserts that the State shall provide appropriate social security to persons who are unable to support themselves and their dependants. Caregivers of persons with severe disabilities are relatives and friends which reduces expenditure on formal care. However, the policy, legal framework and programmes that support the services ignore their needs and welfare. They do not receive training or remuneration. Since they cannot meaningfully participate in income-generating endeavours, they rely on the assistance of others. Therefore, they will greatly benefit from the government- sponsored services, including sufficient financial support. They face a myriad of challenges, while providing care to this special category. They often sacrifice employment to take care of persons with severe disabilities who cannot do anything for themselves. It is impossible for a person or family member taking care of them to leave them on their own. Insufficient support and resources contribute to caregivers’ burden which may lead to a reduction in the quality of care provision. Broader impacts on the family include marital dissatisfaction, isolation stigma and reduced social interaction with other community members. They cannot meet their needs and obligations. They cannot invest in their human capital as they are preoccupied with caregiving duties. Loss of jobs and productivity is inevitable, as they focus their attention on a family member with severe disability. Their quality of life is closely linked to caregivers’ burden and reducing it can improve their quality of life. Financial implications of having children or persons with severe disabilities include reduced family income, significant high financial demands and poor access to materials and services. This is because resources are transferred to caring for them. Demands of caregiving and lack of support may give rise to negative consequences to their physical and psychological wellbeing. This may cause further financial stress and result in them abandoning their role of caregiving. Psychological issues that face parents and caregivers of children and persons living with severe disability include stress, feeling of guilt, low self-esteem, negative emotions and The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"}]}