By Joe Aura, Aurajoe6@gmail.com
Recent investigations by BBC Africa Eye have unveiled the disturbing and ongoing abuse of elderly individuals in Kenya, highlighting systemic issues affecting this vulnerable demographic. While Africa is often associated with its youthful population, the elderly remain among the most marginalized and mistreated in society. The investigative reports offer an eye-opening glimpse into the harrowing reality that older adults face in Kenya. These reflections are not only important but urgent in the fight for their rights and protection.
One report, centred on the rising tide of witchcraft accusations, particularly in Kenya’s coastal regions, highlighted how vulnerable the elderly are in rural areas. In Kilifi, accusations of witchcraft often become a tool for personal gain, including disputes over land ownership. The tragic story of seventy-four-year-old Tambala Jefwa, who was attacked twice by his relatives under the guise of witchcraft accusations, stands as a powerful testament to the abuse. These accusations are not typically grounded in traditional beliefs but are driven by greed and power struggles within families. For Jefwa, his torment was rooted in an inheritance conflict, a reality that many elderly people across the country face. This case is not an isolated one, many elderly individuals live in constant fear of being ostracized, assaulted, or even killed under the guise of witchcraft.
The second report, which uncovered abuse and neglect in Nairobi’s care homes, brings another dimension to the issue of elder abuse. Undercover footage from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa Thogoto Care Home showed staff members abusing residents, neglecting their medical needs, and maintaining unsanitary conditions. These shocking findings revealed a deep failure in Kenya’s elder care system. It is appalling that the very institutions meant to care for our elderly are instead perpetrating harm against them. The lack of proper regulations and oversight in care homes allows this mistreatment to persist, as there is often no one to advocate for the residents, many of whom lack family support.
Both reports reflect a broader, systemic failure to protect the elderly in Kenya, and indeed, across much of the continent. The absence of strong legal frameworks, community protections, and societal respect for the elderly means that many older adults are left to suffer in silence. In rural areas, the elderly are vulnerable to abuse under the guise of cultural or traditional beliefs, and in urban settings, they face neglect in care homes meant to provide refuge in their twilight years.
As I reflect on these two investigations, it becomes clear that much needs to be done to address these pressing issues. On the legal front, Kenya needs to implement stronger elder protection laws and ensure they are rigorously enforced. This includes cracking down on witchcraft accusations and introducing harsher penalties for those who exploit the elderly for personal gain. In the realm of elder care facilities, it is imperative that comprehensive reforms are made. Care homes must be subjected to regular inspections, and those found to be in violation of the basic human rights of elderly residents should face serious consequences.
More importantly, these issues highlight a need for a cultural shift in the way society views aging. In many African cultures, aging is often associated with weakness, irrelevance, or even a burden to younger generations. This perspective needs to change, and a new narrative must be built around valuing the wisdom and contributions of the elderly. A society that neglects its elders is a society that has lost its moral compass.
In response to the abuse highlighted in these investigations, it is crucial that communities take collective responsibility. Families and caregivers must be educated on the importance of elder care, not just as a familial duty but as a fundamental part of human dignity. Beyond that, there needs to be greater public awareness of elder abuse and neglect. This means calling out and addressing these injustices wherever they occur.
As I consider the gravity of these reports and the stories they tell, I am reminded of the importance of fighting for the rights of the elderly. This issue cannot be swept under the rug any longer. The time for action is now. Through both legal reform and a cultural shift in how we view the elderly, Kenya and Africa at large can begin to address these systemic issues and offer the respect, care, and protection that the elderly deserve. This is not just a matter of social justice but a reflection of our shared humanity.