The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called on Parliament to fast-track the Older Persons Bill, 2024, to address the rising concerns of older persons' rights in the country. According to KNCHR, many older people in Kenya continue to face poverty, neglect, violence, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare and justice. The commission emphasized that ageing is a natural stage of life, and every older person has the right to dignity, equality, security, and respect.
KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah stated that the government should increase funding for social protection programs, ensuring they reach older people in a reliable and accessible way. The commission also suggested that older persons should receive special protection during climate emergencies, while those who are refugees, caregivers, or in detention should be provided with the necessary support and services. This call comes as the country marks the International Day of Older Persons, which this year carries the theme "The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives".
The KNCHR pointed to Article 57 of the Constitution, which requires the State to ensure older persons can participate fully in society and pursue their personal development. The provision also requires older people to live in dignity and respect, remain free from abuse, and receive reasonable care and assistance from their families and the State. The commission supported the development of the Older Persons Bill, 2024, which aims to provide a stronger legal basis for protecting older people against abuse, neglect, discrimination, and exploitation.
The proposed law seeks to give effect to Article 57 by establishing a framework for the empowerment and protection of older persons, including measures addressing their wellbeing, dignity, safety, security, and care. KNCHR also called for adequate and sustainable funding for social protection programs, stating that cash transfers for older persons should be predictable, easy to access, and able to respond to the rising cost of living. This includes the Inua Jamii cash transfer program, which has recently received an extra Sh12.5 billion from the National Treasury.
The commission further urged authorities to consider the needs of older people when preparing for and responding to disasters. KNCHR suggested that emergency measures should provide older persons with accessible evacuation centers and shelters, as well as food, healthcare, medication, and psychosocial support. This is particularly crucial given the increasing global population aged 60 and above, expected to rise from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 2.1 billion by 2050.
KNCHR also raised concerns over older persons held in detention, stating that their age and needs should be considered in the provision of essential services and during justice processes. The commission emphasized that older persons in detention require appropriate healthcare, medication, nutrition, accessibility, family contact, psychosocial support, and timely justice processes. Deprivation of liberty must never result in deprivation of dignity, humane treatment, or essential healthcare.
The International Day of Older Persons, marked every October 1, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990. KNCHR reiterated that protecting the rights of older persons is not an act of charity but a constitutional and human-rights obligation. By expediting the Older Persons Bill and increasing funding for social protection programs, the government can take crucial steps towards ensuring the dignity and wellbeing of older persons in Kenya.
Key points
- KNCHR urges Parliament to fast-track the Older Persons Bill, 2024.
- The bill aims to provide a stronger legal basis for protecting older people against abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- The commission calls for increased and sustainable funding for social protection programs to support older persons.
