With Africa’s older population growing rapidly with Kenya facing a critical shortage of geriatric specialists, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is developing postgraduate programmes in Geriatrics and Gerontology to help prepare the continent for the realities of healthy ageing.The proposed Masters and PhD programmes by the Centre for Healthy Ageing (CEFHA), domiciled at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, responds to a growing need for specialists equipped to address the complex health, social and functional needs of older persons.
Geriatrics focuses on the medical care, prevention and treatment of conditions affecting older adults, while Gerontology is the broader study of ageing and its biological, psychological and social dimensions. The proposed programmes will complement existing health professions by developing specialists with dedicated expertise in the complexities of ageing, including the prevention and management of age-related conditions, functional decline and the social and psychological dimensions of later life.
The need for such expertise is becoming increasingly urgent as life expectancy rises and more people live with chronic diseases, disability and conditions requiring long-term care and rehabilitation. Yet Africa has a limited specialist workforce in the field, with Kenya having only two geriatric specialists. The curriculum development process was officially launched by the Principal of the College of Health Sciences (COHES), Dr. Reuben Thuo, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The meeting brought together faculty from the Schools of Architecture and Building Sciences; Business and Entrepreneurship; Pharmacy; Public Health; Medicine, as well as the Sports and Games department, with further input expected from Human Nutrition Sciences and Nursing.
Dr. Thuo commended the multidisciplinary approach, observing that the challenges associated with ageing cannot be addressed by the health sector alone. He said, promoting healthy ageing requires coordinated action across multiple disciplines and sectors, with the health sector playing an important coordinating role. He emphasized that maintaining independence and quality of life should be central to efforts targeting older persons. This includes addressing factors such as poor nutrition, which can contribute to muscle loss and weakness, reduced mobility and increased vulnerability to illness.
“As the body changes with age, some older persons may also experience changes in appetite, digestion and tolerance to certain foods, and if this is not identified on time, it affects muscles, mobility, and even death. This can only be handled by professionals who are knowledgeable in nutrition for such populations, explained Dr. Thuo.
According to Dr. Nyamongo Sagwe, Coordinator of the Centre for Healthy Ageing at JKUAT, there is an urgent need to invest in ageing education, research and workforce development as populations live longer. By 2050, an estimated 2.1 billion people globally will be aged 60 years and above, with older adults expected to outnumber children under five.
The discussion around the curriculum development acknowledged that Healthy ageing is a lifelong process that begins well before old age. This makes a multidisciplinary approach, essential in preparing individuals and communities for ageing. Some of the insights touched on incorporating age-friendly and barrier-free designs in housing and public spaces, to enhance safety, accessibility and adaptability for older persons.
In addition, it was also noted that building financial resilience among young people is key. This includes promoting savings and financial planning among young people, strengthening strategies for long-term financial security, and equipping beneficiaries of government social protection programmes with the knowledge and skills to make effective use of available resources.
These insights, together with other perspectives shared by participants, including the Chairman Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Dr. Wallace Karuguti, will inform the curriculum development process, ensuring that graduates of the programme are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond to the evolving needs of the ageing population.
Dr. Sagwe, who has championed the development of the programme, said the curriculum development process will involve external stakeholders and partners to ensure the programme responds to emerging needs. Given the limited number of specialists in Kenya, the University also intends to draw on expertise from outside the country in delivering the programme.
Notably, through the Centre for Healthy Ageing, JKUAT has applied to join the Global Network of Age-Friendly Universities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing healthy and active ageing through education, research and community engagement.
Beyond the curriculum development process, healthy ageing will feature prominently at the upcoming Healthy Ageing Conference scheduled for September 30 to October 2, 2026, in Nairobi, where JKUAT will play a key role in organizing and moderating discussions on the future of ageing in Kenya and Africa.
This inaugural meeting was also attended by Dr. Mwangi Matheri, Dr. Wilkins Muhingi, Ms. Caroline Mwangi, Mr. Shadrack Asena, Dr. Kalundu Kimanzi, Ms. Rita Mugo, Mr. Moses Ondeng, Dr. Linus Wafula, Ms. Josephine Waronja, and Dr. George Muthui.
