The Plight of Older Persons in Murang'a County,Kenya

Millicent Dorcus Oluteyo, National Council for Population and Development (NCPD)
Prof. Robisnson Ocharo, University of Nairobi
Mohamed Sheikh, National Council for Population and Development (NCPD)

The 2022 Study on the Status of the Family in Kenya by NCPD aimed at describing family types/forms; changes in the family, their drivers and implications; and analyzing status of the family’s well-being and stability in Murang’a County. The study was guided by Erikson’s (1982) theory of Integrity vs. Despair. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the studies where primary and secondary data were collected. Key findings are that the average health status reported by older persons (50%) is attributed to challenges they face. Their mental wellbeing is affected by changes in family structure, roles, culture, values, lifestyle, support systems, religious affiliation; and family-work balance. They suffer mental health related challenges associated with drugs and substance use, orphan hood, disability, child-care, oppression, lack of care givers, abandonment, neglect, hopelessness, lack of basic needs, poor health, domestic conflicts leading to family divisions and single parenthood, insecurity and migration.