Euthanasia: A Challenge to The Modern Kenya. (A Study Case of Nairobi And Kiambu)
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Date
2003
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
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.
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Keywords
Euthanasia