The government is committed to supporting older persons through the provision of monthly stipends to enable them access quality healthcare, food and shelter, a social development official has said.
Speaking to KNA on Wednesday in Kitui, Deputy County Social Development Officer Titus Mulandi said that over 30, 000 older persons in the county receive a monthly stipend of Sh. 2, 000 each.
“We encourage family members to enroll persons aged 65 years and above into this social protection programme. There is need to ensure the elderly enjoy their sunset years,” said Mulandi.
He lamented that it is pity to allow the elderly persons wallow in abject poverty oblivious of government support and challenged community members to enlist them into the programme.
The Social Development officer observed that the enrollment is a continuous process as older persons turn 65 years.
“We have also tightened the noose on rogue caregivers. We have replaced them with those who are responsible under the guidance of the beneficiaries,” disclosed Mulandi.
On the same score, the official called on caregivers to embrace collective responsibility and ensure the elderly persons are well taken care of.
Commenting on how the monthly stipends have turned round lives of the elderly, Mulandi noted that majority of them also buy mattresses and blankets for comfort besides buying food with the money.
“It melts the heart when you see elderly persons bubbling with energy. The stipends give them the necessary energy to cope with the vagaries of changing climate,” he added.
Mulandi said that the elderly enjoy good health since they can afford medicine to manage age related illnesses such as diabetes.
By Yobesh Onwong’a
