Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is part of a multi-institutional team working to generate data that will inform policies and programs supporting older persons in Kenya.
The collaborative initiative brings together Kenyatta University, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
The research, which will include samples from all 47 counties, aims to comprehensively assess the needs, vulnerabilities, and socio-economic realities of older persons in Kenya.
Findings from the study will help guide evidence-based policy formulation and strengthen program interventions tailored to aging populations.
The representatives from the partner institutions convened at JKUAT on Thursday, February 26, 2026 to finalize the project’s concept note, in order to lay the foundation for the study’s scope, methodology, and implementation framework.
The meeting coordinated by Dr. Nyamongo Sagwe from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at JKUAT underscored the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in addressing emerging demographic shifts in the country.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Wallace Karuguti, Chair of Rehabilitation Sciences, underscored the need for long-term preparedness, stating that the initiative demonstrates a proactive commitment to planning for Kenya’s ageing population by 2050.
According to estimates from various United Nations agencies, approximately 1.4 billion people worldwide will be aged 60 years and above by 2030, a figure projected to rise to 2.1 billion by 2050. In Kenya, the 2019 Population and Housing Census indicates that about 10 per cent of the population is aged 60 and above, a proportion expected to increase in the coming decades.
Dr. Nyamongo, who is coordinating the establishment of JKUAT’s Centre for Ageing, has consistently emphasized that as the country’s population structure shifts toward a larger proportion of older persons, it is imperative to strengthen inclusive social protection systems, healthcare services, and community support mechanisms to meet their evolving needs.
However, gaps in data and coordinated research have constrained comprehensive planning.
To address this, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, convened key stakeholders, including academia, to develop a concept note and subsequently a research proposal.
As explained by Ms. Julie Omollo, Assistant Director at the State Department for Social Protection, the aim is to ensure that the study is both technically robust and aligned with national policy priorities, given that it is the first of its kind in Kenya.
Some of the key areas of focus, as presented by Prof. Lucy Maina from Kenyatta University, will include identifying major challenges affecting older persons such as income security and healthcare.
In addition, the research will assess the effectiveness of existing service delivery systems, and generate actionable insights that will directly inform national strategies and programme interventions on ageing.
This research will involve national and county government officials, caregivers, county social and health officers, and leaders of organizations representing older persons.
The team has established that current data is inadequate and hinders policy responses. Studies are fragmented and outdated and do not address action as well as emerging issues such as climate change, and digital migration. Older people are rarely included in disaster preparedness or resilience programs.
The discussions also observed that current data on ageing in Kenya remains insufficient to adequately guide policy responses. As younger family members migrate to urban centres in search of employment, many older persons are left behind with diminished care and support systems.
The collaborative initiative, which also includes Dr. Peter Ochieng, Director for Social Development at the Ministry, will continue engaging a diverse range of stakeholders during the research and validation stages to ensure the findings are participatory, context-responsive, and aligned with national priorities.
