The Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the legal, social and institutional systems that protect older persons, with the proposed Older Persons Bill emerging as a key step towards improving their welfare and dignity.
Speaking during the International Day of Older Persons 2026 celebrations at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) in Nairobi, Principal Secretary, State Department for Social Protection, Joseph Motari, CBS, MBS, represented Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua and delivered the Cabinet Secretary’s speech on behalf of the government.
Motari told participants that Kenya’s changing population structure requires the country to rethink how it prepares for ageing and supports people in later life.
The government’s position, as presented by Motari, centred on the need to strengthen social protection, healthcare, community support and policy frameworks so that older persons can live with dignity and remain active members of society.
A major focus of the discussions was the proposed Older Persons Bill, which seeks to provide a stronger legal framework for addressing the rights and welfare of older people.
Motari said the government remains committed to advancing measures that recognise the contribution of older persons while addressing the challenges they face, including access to healthcare, social protection and other essential services.
The discussions at KISE brought together government officials, health professionals, researchers, practitioners, development partners and older persons, creating a platform for examining how Kenya can respond to an ageing population.
The event also shifted attention from viewing ageing primarily through dependency and vulnerability to recognising older persons as people with experience, skills and an important role in families and communities.
Participants called for stronger coordination between government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that policies on ageing translate into practical support at the community level.
The government also emphasised the importance of better planning and evidence-based policymaking as Kenya prepares for a future in which more people are expected to live longer.
The International Day of Older Persons 2026 celebrations provided a platform to assess the progress made while drawing attention to areas that require greater action.
For Kenya, the conversations at KISE pointed to a broader policy challenge: ensuring that increased longevity is matched by systems capable of supporting people throughout their later years.
The event concluded with renewed calls for a more inclusive approach to ageing, with government and stakeholders expected to continue working towards stronger protection, better services and greater recognition of older persons in Kenyan society.
