Homabay County Commissioner Moses Lilan has cautioned older persons enlisted in the Inua Jamii progamme against marrying again.
He told the older person to use their monthly cash transfer stipends wisely to live a dignified life.
“Don’t marry, use that money to help you live in dignity for the years that God has given you,” CC Lilan said in a speech read on his behalf by Aaron Koross, Rachuonyo North sub-county Deputy County Commissioner.
The county commissioner said marrying at this sunset time would add more stress to oneself, saying the money is meant to “take care of yourself so that life continues.”
He spoke during the celebrations to mark International Day for Older Persons at the Kendu Bay showground.
The administrator said the government’s little money for the elderly must be put to good use.
Alluding to the theme of the day “Ageing with dignity: the importance of strengthening care and support systems for older persons worldwide,” he asked the elderly to make good use of the money, saying the money can change their lives; it can comfort them, depending on how they use it rather than seeing it as small money.
Some elderly persons requested the government to increase the money as they deemed it too little.
However, the Commissioner said though the money might not be enough because of budgetary constraints make use of that little amount to help yourself and improve your life to live in a dignified way.
Every month the elderly receive Sh2,000 under the Older Persons Cash transfer programme under the Inua Jamii programme that also comprises the orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) and the people living with disabilities (PWDs)
“So, I request the elderly please make good use of that money so that you can live longer,” the CC said.
In Homa Bay county there are 20,342 elderly persons under the older-person cash transfer programme according to the Gender and Social Development Office.
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At the same time, the County Commissioner called on financial institutions serving the elderly on the cash transfer programme to ensure they bring their services closer to the elderly person’s neighbourhood so that they are able to access their money with ease without having to travel long distances to either Oyugis or Homa Bay towns to access the money
“I know putting up a bank might not be so easy but at least you can contact one of the local business financial agents near the elderly so that they can provide services to reduce distance and cut down on transport costs for the elderly,” he said.
The County Commissioner thanked the elders for attending the event in large numbers saying the government recognizes the importance of elderly people and they are given special respect in the society.
“You are the people we depend on in assisting in the society particularly when it comes to disputes within families, and I know you are a better place to assist,” he said.
He called on the chiefs in the county to work closely with elders by consulting them in making decisions, particularly on family disputes which he said people don’t have to go to court.
The administrator said the issues with family disputes can be solved if the elders are effectively involved so that people stay in harmony without conflict or fighting with one another.
Also present during the event were various departmental heads from both national and county governments from all the eight sub-counties in Homa Bay county, non-governmental organizations such as Medicins sans Frontieres (MSF) which provided free medical services for the elderly, and Plant Tree for Better Environment CBO with its patron Nuhu Abdul Masoud distributed free tree seedling to the elderly for planting in their homes to help in climate mitigation
Mr Nuhu who is also the SUPKEM secretary in Homabay County thanked the government for honouring the elderly by giving them monthly cash stipends which he said has ensured the older people live their life to the fullest and with dignity.
The International Day for Older Persons is marked every year on 1 October to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations, and to mobilize the wider community to address the difficulties faced by older people.
– By Moseti Julius, KNA
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