A motion that envisages Kenyans aged over 60 receive a Sh2,000 monthly stipend received huge support from MPs Wednesday.
The motion was also amended such that if passed and assented to by the President its implementation will start from July 1, 2012. It would cost tax-payers more than Sh3.6 billion monthly to cater for the estimated 1.8 million in that age bracket.
The mover, Gwassi MP John Mbadi argues that majority of Kenyans above 60 are poor and could not support themselves and that they should be assisted by the government and society to live a decent live as per the constitution.
"Aware that article 57 (d) of the constitution makes it a requirement that the elderly receive reasonable assistance from their family and state; this House urges the government to create a scheme to pay any person who is over 60 years and is not in receipt of a pension or benefit from any organisation or state agency, an amount of not less than KSh2000 per month to enable them live in dignity and respect," the motion says in part.
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also minister for Finance, is expected to respond to the motion next week. Mr Kenyatta's Ministry has been banned from transacting business in the House but deputy Speaker Farah Maalim said it is expected the punishment would have been lifted next week.
In Parliament, Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa led MPs in backing the motion terming it a good idea and a social service carried out in developed countries.
Gender minister Naomi Shaban also threw her weight behind the motion although her Ministry is currently paying elders in 40 districts Sh1,500 per month.
She hoped the Sh530 million given for the programme would be doubled so that it could be spread to other parts of the country.
Further, only elders aged above 65 benefit from the Gender Ministry's programme which was highly criticised by MPs led by Defence minister Yusuf Haji for leaving out other districts.
"The Ministry of Gender should be given more money. I appreciate the members' frustrations. I encourage members to bear with us," Dr Shaban said.
Mr Haji said it is sad that some areas were not benefiting.
Mr Mbadi (ODM) said there are many Kenyans who have exhausted their productive potential after being useful in their formative years and that they are unable to sustain themselves.
"Any country that cares about its citizens should not leave them to languish in poverty," Mr Mbadi said.
He added that the constitution makes it mandatory for the State and society to cater for all its citizens and that since the Sh2,000 translates to less than a dollar a day, families should provide the remainder.
Others who supported the motion were: MPs David Njuguna, Yusuf Chanzu, Danson Mwazo, Maison Lechoomo, Luka Kigen, Millie Odhiambo, Rachel Shebesh, Raphael Letimalo, Manson Nyamweya, Benjamin Langat, Margaret Kamar, Amina Abdalla and Maina Kamau
A bid by Mr Langat to have the motion implemented from July 1 this year was defeated with members said it had not been factored in next financial year's budget.
The motion was also amended such that if passed and assented to by the President its implementation will start from July 1, 2012. It would cost tax-payers more than Sh3.6 billion monthly to cater for the estimated 1.8 million in that age bracket.
The mover, Gwassi MP John Mbadi argues that majority of Kenyans above 60 are poor and could not support themselves and that they should be assisted by the government and society to live a decent live as per the constitution.
"Aware that article 57 (d) of the constitution makes it a requirement that the elderly receive reasonable assistance from their family and state; this House urges the government to create a scheme to pay any person who is over 60 years and is not in receipt of a pension or benefit from any organisation or state agency, an amount of not less than KSh2000 per month to enable them live in dignity and respect," the motion says in part.
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also minister for Finance, is expected to respond to the motion next week. Mr Kenyatta's Ministry has been banned from transacting business in the House but deputy Speaker Farah Maalim said it is expected the punishment would have been lifted next week.
In Parliament, Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa led MPs in backing the motion terming it a good idea and a social service carried out in developed countries.
Gender minister Naomi Shaban also threw her weight behind the motion although her Ministry is currently paying elders in 40 districts Sh1,500 per month.
She hoped the Sh530 million given for the programme would be doubled so that it could be spread to other parts of the country.
Further, only elders aged above 65 benefit from the Gender Ministry's programme which was highly criticised by MPs led by Defence minister Yusuf Haji for leaving out other districts.
"The Ministry of Gender should be given more money. I appreciate the members' frustrations. I encourage members to bear with us," Dr Shaban said.
Mr Haji said it is sad that some areas were not benefiting.
Mr Mbadi (ODM) said there are many Kenyans who have exhausted their productive potential after being useful in their formative years and that they are unable to sustain themselves.
"Any country that cares about its citizens should not leave them to languish in poverty," Mr Mbadi said.
He added that the constitution makes it mandatory for the State and society to cater for all its citizens and that since the Sh2,000 translates to less than a dollar a day, families should provide the remainder.
Others who supported the motion were: MPs David Njuguna, Yusuf Chanzu, Danson Mwazo, Maison Lechoomo, Luka Kigen, Millie Odhiambo, Rachel Shebesh, Raphael Letimalo, Manson Nyamweya, Benjamin Langat, Margaret Kamar, Amina Abdalla and Maina Kamau
A bid by Mr Langat to have the motion implemented from July 1 this year was defeated with members said it had not been factored in next financial year's budget.
