Kenya government is one of the signatories to the International Plan of Action on
Ageing adopted in 1982 in Vienna, Austria during the first World Assembly on Ageing.
Since then the government is committed to the United Nations principles, which
stipulates the rights of older persons to independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment
and dignity.
However despite commitment to the Plan of Action agreed on in 1982, it was noted at
the Second World Assembly on Ageing (WAA2) held in Madrid in 2002 that most
developing countries, including Kenya, did not take specific steps to domesticate and
operationalise the recommendations in the key thematic areas namely, family, social
welfare, income security and education. The Conference therefore called member
states for changes in attitude, policies and practices at all levels in all sectors to
implement revised Plan of Action on Ageing in the 21st century. Further at 38th Ordinary
Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU)
held in Durban South Africa in 2002, the Policy Framework and Plan of Action was
approved and this binds member countries to formulate national policies on ageing, in
order to improve the lives of the continents older persons.
Kenya has prepared a final Draft National Policy on Ageing in line with Madrid
International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and African Union Framework
Guidelines. This report gives a profile on the status and implementation of the National
Policy on Ageing. The report reviews the situation of older persons in the country,
highlights the progress made in improving their rights since the Vienna and Madrid
conferences and gives recommendations on the interventions required.