The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has indicated that old people are facing frequent physical and psychological abuse in Kenya.
In a report, NGEC says that the elderly are now appealing to the government to come to their rescue.
In Kikuyu, Kiambu County, this writer spoke to some of the elderly people who had had gathered for the international day of the older persons.
“We are appreciating the government for coming up with a fund to help the elderly but we are requesting that the current amount of 2,000 shillings be increased. We are living in hard economic times,” said Daniel Njuguna, an 80-year-old resident.
“We would like this money to be given without discrimination. Whether one has it or not, it is meant for all old people. Like myself am not given because they think am rich enough. That should not be the case,” said Esther Wamuyu.
70-year-old Njoroge Kimani said, “We do not want this money to be given by the chiefs as there is lot of corruption and discrimination involved.”
This year’s theme was, leaving no one behind: promoting a society for all.
The international day of older persons and the aged people is meant to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly such as elder abuse as well as their contribution to the society.
On the cash transfer programme, Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi raised the alarm over the large amounts of money being paid to unscrupulous people from funds meant for the elderly.
Speaking during the celebrations at Diemo Primary School in Seme Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kambi said the high level of corruption in disbursing the funds will scuttle the entire programme.
He has directed Members of Parliament, who are patrons to the fund, to take charge of the committees administering the kitty in constituencies by getting rid of officials embezzling the funds.
Under the programme, the government pays identified elderly persons Sh4,000 every two months. There are 210,000 households currently benefitting from the Sh5 billion kitty.