Study Shows Kenya’s Aging Population Faces Neglected Health Needs

A new Kenyan study has highlighted a growing crisis: older adults are facing significant health inequities as the population ages rapidly. The Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK) — a high-impact research project — has revealed that the number of Kenyans aged 60 and over is rising sharply, but the country’s health system is not keeping pace.According to this work, many seniors live with chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer — conditions that demand continuous medical care, yet health services tailored to these needs remain limited.
Further studies corroborate the challenges. Research conducted in Nairobi found that many older patients do not fully understand the medications they take, despite having multiple prescriptionsAnother investigation in informal settlements like Nakuru showed that social protection schemes — including health subsidies and retirement benefits — remain weak, leaving more than 70% of elderly respondents with poor access to health services. The 2012 policy brief from the National Council for Population and Development also warned of a looming mismatch between Kenya’s aging population and health infrastructure, noting rising long-term care needs and the growing burden of chronic disease.
Ageism in Kenya’s healthcare system was another major concern raised by older adults. Critics say that discriminatory perceptions — viewing older people as frail, dependent or less deserving of care — are contributing to substandard treatment. On top of this, many elderly Kenyans live on modest incomes with little or no pension, making the high cost of treatment a barrier to continuous care.
Looking ahead, experts urge urgent policy reform. LOSHAK researchers say the findings should guide the development of age-friendly health services, social protection programs and community-based care modelsAdvocacy groups are calling for stronger inclusion of older adults in Kenya’s national health financing reforms — particularly within the Social Health Authority — to ensure e