Africa-Press – Kenya. Senators want Parliament to hire counsellors to guide them on mental pressure and other psychological problems they undergo.
“We seriously need counsellors in the senate to help us. Can you imagine losing an election, it is a serious mental issue and it affects us,” nominated senator Hamida Kibwana said.
Kibwana said many senators who lost in the last election are suffering mentally and thus the need to hire a counsellor.
Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang said apart from the election loss, the lawmakers undergo financial stress and pressure from the electorate.
“We need a counsellor. We have struggled so much during elections, we took loans others went to shylocks,” Chesang said.
“Our voters seem to understand our roles and they put much pressure on us because they think we play the same roles as members of the National Assembly.”
Embu Senator Alex Mundigi said apart from counsellors, they also need divine invention to overcome mental stress and pressure.
“In 2013, I ran for MP but I lost and also got sacked at work. In 2017, I vied for senator and lost after spending a lot of money. In 2022, I won because I have been praying day and night,” he said.
The lawmakers spoke in Mombasa on Thursday, during a session on the law-making process in the ongoing induction in Mombasa.
They said they go through emotional stress and immense pressure that affect their mental health.
Former Senator Sylvia Kasanga, who championed mental health matters and sponsored a bill in the last senate, was the lead presenter
“Mental health is real. The pain of losing an election, the pressure and stress that comes with it are real,” she said.
Kasanga, who is a mental health advocate, said that she would be planning sensitisation forums with the lawmakers to champion the course and support any legislation that addresses mental health issues.
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