Symposium Abstract Symposium on Community Care for Older Persons in Kenya - 2nd October 2025

As the global population ages, communities across the world face both a challenge and an opportunity in ensuring that older persons live with dignity, autonomy, and well-being. In Kenya, persons aged 60 and above currently represent approximately 6% of the population—around 3 million people—a figure projected to double by 2050. Globally, the number of persons aged 60 and above is expected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, up from 1.1 billion in 2023, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive, inclusive, and community-driven approaches to ageing.
This symposium marks AFICS-Kenya’s celebration of the International Day of Older Persons 2025 and serves as a strategic platform for dialogue, innovation, and partnership on community-based care. Organized by the Association of Former International Civil Servants – Kenya (AFICS-Kenya), the event is aligned with national and international policy frameworks, including Kenya Vision 2030, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).
The symposium will focus on theSMART Ageing approach, which advocates for Supportive, Meaningful, Accessible, Responsive, and Tailored care for older persons. Through expert panel discussions, lived experiences, and interactive sessions, the event will explore key themes such as long-term care, age-friendly infrastructure, economic inclusion, and intergenerational solidarity. Four thematic tracks will guide discussions on health and home-based care; social protection and economic inclusion; senior-friendly environments; and the role of culture, family, and faith in elder care.
The opening session will feature a welcome address on the AFICS-Kenya journey by the President of the Association, followed by an overview of Kenya’s policy environment for older persons delivered by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. A global perspective will be offered by the World Health Organization and the Indian Ambassador will share experiences of elder care in India. This will be followed by an NGO intervention from Suqoon, highlighting community-based innovations in care, and personal testimonies from two older persons in Kenya, sharing lived experiences and insights.
The symposium will convene a diverse and dynamic group of participants. These will include AFICS-Kenya members, older persons and caregivers, representatives from both national and county governments, as well as United Nations agencies and international development partners. Also participating will be civil society and grassroots organizations, academia and research institutions, private sector actors, technology innovators, and members of the media.
The expected outcomes of the symposium include practical recommendations for strengthening community-based care systems for older persons in Kenya. A symposium report will be produced to guide future policy and programmatic interventions. The event also aims to foster stronger networks and partnerships across sectors, raise public awareness about ageing as a development issue, and promote greater recognition and protection of the rights, dignity, and social contributions of older persons.
Ultimately, this gathering is not just a commemorative event but a collective call to action. It seeks to shift the conversation on ageing from one of burden to opportunity, from neglect to inclusion—and to build a future where older persons are supported, empowered, and celebrated within their communities.