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Govt urged to enhance support for the elderly through Older Persons Bill 2024

Residents engaged in the Older Person Bill public participation in Kibaoni, Kilifi County, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Monday, July 1, 2024

During a press briefing at a public participation forum on the bill held in Kilifi on Sunday, Kiama expressed his dissatisfaction with the current level of public involvement.

The government has been urged to strengthen the policies in the proposed Older Persons Bill 2024 to effectively support the well-being of elderly individuals in society.

This follows the killing of over 138 elderly people in Kilifi and more than 22 in Kwale County for alleged witchcraft between 2020 and 2022.

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According to Peter Kiama, Executive Director of Haki Yetu Organisation, documentation reveals that in the past week, three elderly individuals were reported to have been killed in the Rabai and Ganze constituencies of Kilifi County.

During a press briefing at a public participation forum on the bill held in Kilifi on Sunday, Kiama expressed his dissatisfaction with the current level of public involvement.

He criticised the decision to have the forum at the county headquarters instead of at the grassroots level, where elderly residents are often subjected to killings.

Kiama further emphasised the need for the care of elderly people to become a devolved function, allowing county governments to more effectively address their needs, including the distribution of monthly allowances.

"The current approach fails to engage those most affected. We need to take these discussions to the communities where these heinous acts occur and ensure the bill reflects their unique needs and cultural contexts,” Kiama stated.

Haki Yetu Organisation officials engage Kibaoni, Kilifi County residents in the Older Person Bill public participation exercise on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

He also stressed the importance of the bill acknowledging African cultural traditions in caring for the elderly, noting that institutionalising them in old age homes goes against cultural norms.

Haki Yetu Programme Coordinator Julius Wanyama supported Kiama’s views, highlighting the government's lack of comprehensive measures to ensure the welfare and safety of older people.

Wanyama pointed out the collaboration between Haki Yetu and the justice system to develop the Alternative Justice System, aimed at better handling elder abuse cases.

He further expressed frustration with the police service's failure to deliver justice for abused older people.

In his presentation, he cited issues such as the non-arrest of perpetrators and the failure to bring witnesses to court, which have led to many cases stalling or being dismissed. "Without accountability, these atrocities will continue unabated. It is imperative that the Older Persons Bill address these systemic failures and provide robust protections for our elderly."

The calls for strengthened policies come at a critical time as the government seeks to finalise the Older Persons Bill 2024.

Advocates hope that increased public involvement and a more culturally sensitive approach will lead to meaningful changes that protect the elderly from violence and neglect.

Residents contribute ideas during the Older Person Bill public participation in Kibaoni, Kilifi County, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)