Kenya Urged to Rethink Ageing as Older Population Set to Grow

By Monyonge O’kebati
Kenya has been urged to rethink how it approaches ageing and older persons by adopting a life-course approach that begins in childhood and recognises older people as contributors to national development rather than simply as dependants.
Health officials and practitioners say the country must strengthen investment in preventive healthcare, social protection, income security and long-term care as the population of older persons continues to grow.
The call was made during a briefing and education session ahead of a series of activities focusing on healthy ageing, geriatric medicine, long-term care and the rights and welfare of older persons.
According to figures from the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census cited during the briefing, Kenya had about 2.7 million older persons, representing approximately six per cent of the population.
The meeting noted that the number is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, with the World Health Organization projecting that the older population will double by 2050.
The changing demographic profile, participants said, makes ageing an issue that can no longer be treated as a concern for one generation.
Instead, the country is being encouraged to view ageing through a life-course perspective, where decisions made during childhood and adulthood influence people’s health and quality of life in later years.
The approach places emphasis on nutrition, immunisation, education, access to safe drinking water, healthy environments and mental wellbeing during childhood as important foundations for healthy ageing.
The officials noted that the burden of non-communicable diseases also becomes increasingly significant as people grow older, underscoring the need for prevention and early intervention throughout the life course.
The discussions further highlighted the social dimension of ageing, including the growing burden of unpaid care work, particularly among women.
Participants argued that healthcare interventions alone cannot address the challenges facing older persons, with social protection, income security, long-term care and access to essential services also forming an important part of the response.
Kenya’s Healthy Aging and Older Persons Strategy 2022–2032 was cited as one of the frameworks guiding the country’s efforts, with its priorities aligned with the global UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.
The meeting stressed the need to domesticate global commitments and ensure that policies respond to the realities faced by Kenyan families and communities.
Intergenerational dialogue
A major component of the planned activities will be an Intergenerational Village in Nairobi, which is expected to bring together older persons, young people, policymakers and practitioners.
The platform will provide an opportunity for different generations to discuss ageing, healthcare, social protection and the contribution of older persons to society.
Organisers said the conversation should not be limited to older people because younger generations are also directly connected to the issue.
“Aging is not somebody else’s future. It is all our future,” was the central message delivered during the briefing.
The organisers are also planning scientific and national conferences where researchers, policymakers and practitioners will examine issues including geriatric medicine, long-term care and ageing.
The programme will culminate in a walk through the Kenyan Intergenerational Village in Nairobi, while county-level activations will take the healthy-ageing conversation to communities.
The county activities are expected to focus on grassroots participation, preventive health and social protection outreach.
Organisers said proof-of-life exercises for older persons benefiting from the Cash Transfer Programme are already being undertaken in 34 counties, highlighting the importance of ensuring that social protection reaches intended beneficiaries.
Media urged to change ageing narrative
The media has also been challenged to play a greater role in changing how ageing is portrayed in Kenya.
Journalists were urged to go beyond reporting ageing during special events and instead keep the experiences, concerns and contributions of older persons in the national conversation throughout the year.
The media was asked to amplify the voices of older persons rather than focusing exclusively on their vulnerability.
It was also challenged to increase public awareness of social protection programmes, income security, available entitlements and the services designed to support older people.
Journalists were further encouraged to ask questions about policies affecting older persons and examine how government programmes and services are being implemented.
Organisers said the narrative around ageing should move away from viewing older persons simply as dependants and instead recognise them as people with knowledge, experience and continuing contributions to Kenya’s social and economic development.
From managing old age to preparing for it
The emerging message from the discussions is that Kenya should not wait until people become elderly before addressing the challenges associated with ageing.
Instead, healthy ageing should be treated as a process that begins early in life.
The organisers noted that what happens to a child in areas such as nutrition, education, immunisation, mental wellbeing and the environment can influence their health decades later.
This approach places responsibility on families, communities, healthcare providers, policymakers and individuals to create conditions that support people throughout their lives.
The conference organisers said the ultimate objective is to build a sustainable national movement around healthy, dignified and inclusive ageing.
They also called for continued collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, communities, the media, young people and older persons to ensure that ageing remains part of Kenya’s development agenda.
The message is clear: the conversation about older persons is not a conversation about “them”.
It is a conversation about all Kenyans and the kind of society the country wants to build for every generation.
Add a stronger newspaper-style headline
Tighten repeated ageing arguments
Replace the unsupported direct quote