The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called for stronger measures to combat elder abuse in Kenya, warning that the problem remains widespread despite existing legal and policy protections.
The Commission urged stakeholders to move beyond recognizing the issue and focus on concrete actions that protect the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of older persons.
Growing Ageing Population Raises Concerns
According to the World Health Organization, the global population aged 60 years and above currently stands at approximately 1.1 billion and is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030.
In Kenya, the 2019 Population and Housing Census recorded about 2.74 million people aged 65 years and above, representing 3.9 percent of the population. This figure is projected to increase to about 3.6 million by 2030 and exceed 10 percent of the national population by 2050.
NGEC noted that elder abuse takes many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation. The Commission said rapid urbanization, migration, weakening family structures, and economic pressures have intensified these challenges.
Unpaid Care Work Remains a Key Challenge
The Commission highlighted the burden of unpaid care work, which falls disproportionately on women and girls. Caring for older persons often involves assisting with feeding, hygiene, medication, household chores, and emotional support.
Without adequate support systems, caregivers face financial strain, stress, and burnout, factors that can contribute to neglect and mistreatment of older persons.
Kenya has made notable progress in protecting older persons through constitutional guarantees and policies such as the National Policy on Older Persons and Ageing, the Kenya National Care Policy, and the Kenya National Social Protection Policy.
Despite these gains, NGEC said elder abuse remains significantly underreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, dependence on abusers, and limited access to justice.
The Commission called for expanded reporting mechanisms, stronger intergenerational engagement, increased social protection, enhanced research and data collection, and greater capacity-building for law enforcement and healthcare workers.
