1st October, 2026
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) joins Kenya and the international community in commemorating the International Day of Older Persons, observed annually on 1st October.
This year’s theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” calls for systems of protection, care, inclusion and social security that enable people to age with dignity and security. It is also an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contribution of older persons to families, communities and national development. Ageing is a natural stage of life, and every older person has the right to dignity, equality, security and respect. Older persons are caregivers, advisers, peacebuilders, custodians of culture and history, and active contributors to society. Protecting their rights is not an act of charity; it is a constitutional and human-rights obligation.
Realizing the Constitutional Rights of Older Persons
Article 57 of the Constitution requires the State to take measures to ensure that older persons fully participate in society, pursue personal development, live in dignity and respect, remain free from abuse, and receive reasonable care and assistance from their families and the State. Article 27 guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination.
The KNCHR acknowledges progress through initiatives including the National Policy on Older Persons and Ageing, the National Social Protection Policy, and the Inua Jamii Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme. The Commission also recognizes the importance of the Older Persons Bill, which seeks to strengthen the legal framework for protecting older persons from abuse, neglect, discrimination and exploitation. The KNCHR supported and participated in its development and calls for its timely enactment. However, many older persons continue to experience poverty, neglect, violence, discrimination, inadequate social protection, barriers to health care and public services, and limited access to justice. These challenges are often compounded for older women, persons with disabilities, those living in rural and marginalized areas, refugees, persons in detention, and those without adequate family or community support.
Strengthening Social Protection
The rising cost of living continues to affect older persons’ access to food, medicines, health care, housing and other essential needs. Social protection must therefore be adequate, predictable, accessible and accountable.The KNCHR calls for strengthened beneficiary identification and enrolment, timely and predictable payments, accessible payment systems, effective grievance mechanisms, and transparent monitoring of the Inua Jamii Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme.
Older Persons and Climate Emergencies
Older persons may face heightened risks during floods, droughts, displacement and other climate-related emergencies due to limited mobility, disability, isolation, dependence on medication and other vulnerabilities. The KNCHR calls on national and county governments, disaster-management authorities and humanitarian actors to ensure that emergency preparedness and response measures are age-responsive, including accessible evacuation and shelter, food and health services, medication, psychosocial support and continuity of social protection.
Recognizing Caregiving Responsibilities
Changing family structures, migration and economic pressures may leave older persons with significant caregiving responsibilities, including caring for grandchildren. Policies should recognize these responsibilities and provide appropriate social, economic and psychosocial support. Migration policies should also promote safe and regular migration while supporting families to maintain care and other responsibilities across borders.
Leaving No Older Person Behind
Older persons in refugee settings and detention require particular attention. Older refugees may face barriers to documentation, information, health care, livelihoods and social assistance. Humanitarian and government programmes must identify and respond to their specific needs. Older persons in detention require appropriate health care, 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 health care. CALL TO ACTION
The Commission calls upon:
1. Parliament and relevant State institutions to prioritize the enactment of the Older Persons Bill and strengthen the legal and institutional framework for their protection.
2. The National Treasury and relevant government departments to provide adequate and sustainable financing for social protection and ensure that cash transfers are predictable, accessible and responsive to the cost of living.
3. Social protection authorities and implementing agencies to strengthen beneficiary identification, timely payments, grievance redress, monitoring and public accountability.
4. National and county governments and humanitarian actors to integrate the needs of older persons into climate preparedness, disaster-risk reduction, emergency response and recovery.
5. Health, social protection, migration and labour authorities to recognize and support older persons with significant caregiving responsibilities.
6. Government and humanitarian actors to ensure that older refugees have equitable access to documentation, health care, food, social protection, livelihoods, psychosocial support and information.
7. Justice and correctional institutions to safeguard the health, dignity, welfare and rights of older persons in detention and custodial settings.
8. Families, communities, civil society and faith-based organizations to combat neglect, abandonment, abuse, exploitation, violence and discrimination and promote the meaningful participation and inclusion of older persons.
Conclusion
The KNCHR reaffirms that older persons are rights holders, not beneficiaries of charity. Their knowledge, experience and contributions must be valued, and their rights protected throughout the ageing process.
The Commission will continue to monitor, investigate, advocate and engage duty bearers to promote and protect the rights of older persons in accordance with its constitutional mandate.
A society that respects human dignity must ensure that every person can age with dignity, security, inclusion and respect.
The Commission calls on any person with information regarding violations of the rights of older persons or any other human rights concerns to report through: Email: haki@knchr.org; SMS: 22359; WhatsApp: 0798 849 871; and Toll-Free Line: 0800 720 627.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an Independent National Human Rights Institution established under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2011. The Commission's mandate is the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya.
Haki Kwa Wote, Kila Wakati!
Claris Ogangah,
Chairperson, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).