The State Department for Social Protection, Department for Senior citizens is in its final leg of a draft sensitisation booklet on older persons that aims to empower, integrate and protect dignity of senior citizens.
Dr Peter Ochieng, Director of Senior Citizen Affairs, informed a three-day stakeholder meeting at the Institute for the Blind in Machakos that the booklet offered practical guidance on how to support, care and integrate older people in society.
He emphasized that the booklet is set to address rising issues of older persons where it will spell out all challenges and opportunities for older persons while addressing long standing gaps in their welfare through a coordinated and structured system.
“The booklet was validated during a multi-sectoral workshop that brought together government officials, state agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions and representatives of older persons from different parts of the country,” said Dr Ochieng.
Dr Ochieng noted that the booklet addresses a wide range of issues affecting older persons, including health care, social protection, infrastructure, transport and safety; it provides guidance on creating an age-friendly and inclusive environment for the elderly to age with dignity.
Civil society organisations supporting older persons acknowledged the booklet as an eye-opener. Dr Njoroge Waweru, a Board member and Director of Ageing Dignified Kenya (ADK), said the lack of coordination had previously led to duplication of services in some areas and neglect in others.
“This booklet allows us to see where there is duplication and where there are gaps so that we can work together to ensure services for older persons are comprehensive and well-coordinated,” said Dr Waweru.
He disclosed that the document once launched will open new opportunities for capacity building and research and institutions of higher learning can now draw from the booklet to develop training, research, and programs targeting older persons.
Mr Kinuthia Wamwangi, representing older persons and was part of the stakeholders, said the stakeholder meeting allowed older people to speak for themselves and shape a document that reflects their lived realities
“We have gone through the book and agreed that it represents what we would like to say about ourselves. It highlights the programmes the government is implementing and informs all stakeholders of their responsibility toward older persons and especially inclusion of older persons,” added Kinuthia.
He disclosed that the book was informed by older people facing abandonment, multiple chronic diseases and lack of sustainability because after retirement most of them are forgotten and excluded in society, noting that elderly people need to be looked after by professional carers.
Dr Lynette Ochuma, Head of Directorate of Social Protection, affirmed that the booklet will be launched in September 2026 and will be used for advocacy and awareness for older persons.
She pointed out that it will also focus on legal instruments and issues affecting older persons such as elder abuse that has been rampant in areas like Kilifi and Kisii counties where there are shelters for the elderly thus the booklet will guide them on what to do and what steps to take.
Once operational, Dr Ochuma pointed out that the Older Persons Booklet is expected to significantly improve service delivery for older persons in Kenya through inclusion in various projects in society, better healthcare for them and protection of their dignity.
by Anne Kangero
