How preventing your elderly family members from marrying may cost you Ksh 1M fine
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Preventing your elderly family members from marrying may cost you Ksh 1M fine according to Geriatric Bill 2022
Preventing your elderly family members from marrying may cost you Ksh 1M fine according to Geriatric Bill 2022.
If the Geriatric Bill 2022 becomes law, Kenyans may soon be penalized Ksh1 million for preventing their elderly family members from getting married.
In the Bill proposed by Githunguri Member of Parliament, Gathoni Wamuchomba, elderly persons are categorized as persons above the age of 60 years.
The Bill mandates that family members must consent unbiasedly to an elderly person’s marriage or remarriage.
“Elderly persons have a right to marry, remarry and divorce under any law without interference from the family.
“The family of the elderly persons shall facilitate them to reside with their spouses unless there are compelling circumstances to warrant separation,” proposed the Bill.
Further, the Ksh 1 million fine will also apply to instances where the elderly are denied access to their wealth.
“The family shall not seize the property of an elderly person, including houses owned or income generated from the property.
“A person convicted of an offence under this Act for which no penalty is provided shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh1 million shillings or to an imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both,” reads the Bill in part.
Other behaviors that could result in a fine include abusing the elderly physically, sexually, psychologically, or financially.
Insults, mockery, inflicting emotional harm, and breach of privacy are some psychological offenses mentioned in the bill.
In the proposed legislation, community-based elderly care is also promoted.
According to Wamuchomba, the Bill will guarantee the group a healthy lifestyle as they are frequently ignored.
“The Bill seeks to improve the living conditions of elderly persons by providing for their rights to human dignity, safety, security education, and health,” she stated.
Parliament received the Bill on November 21 and is yet to be taken for its first reading as MPs are currently on recess.
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