The Plight of the Aged and the Ageing Persons in Kenya: A Review of Existing Literature

This paper undertakes a review of existing literature on ageing and the aged in Kenya. The study focused specifically on socio-religious approaches to ageing, the stand-point of the individual, family, Kenyan society and their influence on the aged. The relationships of the ageing persons with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren were also explored. The study also examined the Kenya government policy on ageing and the aged, its implementation, the challenges and the way forward on the prevailing issues on ageing and the aged in Kenya. The introductory part of the paper undertakes a review of global and regional debates on ageing, issues of social protection for older people, perception of the aged and the ageing persons, gender and ageing, and then zeroes in on the situation analysis of ageing in Kenya. This latter part examines the population of older persons in Kenya, the socio-economic issues affecting older people, including poverty, health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS, housing, income security and social services, abuse and violence, community and family support system adult education, legal framework employment. The main discussion in this paper begins with a review of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights report on Growing Old in Kenya: Making it a Positive Experience; government policies for the aged and the ageing in Kenya (such as the Ninth National Development Plan [2002-2008], Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2000 on National Population Policy, Constitutional Review, Kenya National Policy on Ageing); implementation and follow-up of these policies; other special initiatives with respect to older persons (such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund [NHIF], National Social Security Fund [NSSF]); Social Protection in Kenya, Opportunities and Challenges. Finally, the paper examines some of the recommendations made on improving the conditions of the aged and the ageing. These include the roles played by the Ministry of Gender, Sports, culture and Social Services and HelpAge Kenya.