Browsing by Author "Rigii, Kamangara John"

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    Euthanasia: A Challenge to The Modern Kenya. (A Study Case of Nairobi And Kiambu)
    (Tangaza University College, 2003) Rigii, Kamangara John
    The advancement in science and technology with its effects on modernization and economic struggle have led to the loss of African Traditional values in Kenya. Modernity and economic strains is not only a threat to Kenyan morality, but also jeopardy to the lives of old people and terminally ill patients. Traditional African values in which, life was revered and respected as the highest gift to the society is increasingly at a threat. People are no longer respecting life as an end in itself, but rather as a means to one's goals and objectives. Hence, life is revered according to what it contributes to the society, hence the ideology, "unproductive life is not worth living." All these may be relegated to modernity with its present economic systems, in which people are counted according to their ability to produce, functionalism, rather than what they are. The old age that was once revered in Africa and Kenya in particular as a treasure of wisdom is now being regarded as a nuisance to the family. People feel threatened to grow old, because of the consequences they might face. People feel unease to be told that you are aging, because of the negative stigma carried by the word old age. Our economic development, which seems to be emphasizing the juggle policy, survival of the fittest, is increasingly becoming a threat to the lives of the old and terminally ill people. The devaluation of human life, in which those not capable to compete in the economic struggle due to their poor human state are seen as unfit to live. They are regarded as mere consumers who impoverish development and technology and so, not worth living.