Nakuru MCAs: Register senior citizens for govt stipend

Nakuru County Assembly Women caucus members Elizabeth Gichuki (left) Susan Njuguna and Ms Doreen Korir visit Ms Grace Wangare Ngugi, 78, in Flamingo Estate in Nakuru town on July 8, 2019. They called on the county government to support senior citizens. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI| NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ms Njuguna said that not all senior citizens were aware of the monthly government stipend for the elderly.
  • Ms Njuguna said that the group was also working with the youth, the disabled and other special interest groups in the county.

Members of the Nakuru County Assembly Women caucus have called on the social services department to hold a sensitisation campaign to help more senior citizens access government stipend for the elderly.

“As women MCAs, we are concerned by the huge number of the elderly who are neglected and are suffering from old age-related ailments,” said the group’s chairperson Susan Njuguna on Monday.

Ms Njuguna said that not all senior citizens were aware of the monthly government stipend for the elderly.

The leaders spoke at Nakuru town’s Flamingo estate when they visited Ms Grace Wangare Ngugi, 78, who is suffering from arthritis and high blood pressure. The ward reps later took Ms Ngugi to Nakuru Level Five Hospital for treatment.

CAMPAIGN

“I hope the department of social services will do a sensitisation campaign to reach the elderly, a comprehensive data should be collected to assist in reaching the senior residents whenever they require assistance,” said Ms Njuguna.

Ms Njuguna said that the group was also working with the youth, the disabled and other special interest groups in the county.

“We have realised that a majority of the elderly have no access to proper medication and we urge the county government to provide them with free medical care,” said Ms Njuguna.

Nominated MCA Elizabeth Gichuki urged Nakuru County government to set aside funds for the elderly to enable them access medicine, walking aids, food and clothing.

SPONSOR MOTION

“It is unfortunate that some of the elderly are unable to walk from their houses to the toilets in their homes, we appeal to well-wishers to join hands with the county government to help the senior citizens,” said Ms Gichuki.

Nominated MCA Doreen Korir said she has sponsored a motion in the assembly to compel the county government to sensitise residents on the importance of registering for National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

“The sensitisation programme on the need for NHIF listing will help the elderly and other residents access affordable healthcare which is one of the Big Four Agenda of the national government,” said Ms Korir.