Kenya’s elderly population surpasses 3 million, raising alarm - Report

New data show that Kenya’s elderly population is surging, now topping 3.2 million, which is almost 6 per cent of the total population.

In the 2019 census, Kenyans aged 65 and above accounted for 3.9% of the population — about 2.74 million people. 

Today, that figure has soared to nearly 6 per cent, or over 3 million elderly Kenyans, putting pressure on government services and exposing critical policy gaps.

According to the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), as elderly Kenyans face neglect, there are growing demands to strengthen the Older Persons Act for their protection.

This demographic shift is already visible in several counties where the elderly outnumber children.

"As a country, we haven't realised that population ageing is a global phenomenon. We're not prepared. The older population has doubled, and we’re running out of time — this is a vulnerable group,” said Geriatric Specialist Dr. Tasneem Yamani.

NCPD Director General, Dr. Mohamed A. Sheikh, added, “The number of older persons is rising and will continue to rise. By 2030, we project about 3.6 million Kenyans will be over 60."

NCPD attributes the rise to improved healthcare and longer life expectancy. However, the government now faces the challenge of providing adequate care for this rapidly growing elderly population.

Many elderly people, especially in rural areas, are being neglected by their children and face abuse, poverty, and isolation.

"This growing elderly population comes with challenges — from healthcare to social protection and caregiving. As a country, we must prepare for this now,” said Dr Sheikh.

NCPD is hence calling for the Older Persons Act — legislation to guide how older Kenyans are supported, including the creation of more elder care homes, which are currently few and mostly run by religious or private organisations.

"Just like we have the Children’s Act, we need the Older Persons Act to define the government’s role in supporting the elderly,” CPF Foundation Manager Morris Omondi noted.

At the same time, the birth rate is dropping. On average, Kenyan families now have three children, down from seven or eight just a generation ago.

"Today, women give birth to fewer children — partly because of longer schooling and delayed marriages. That’s why our population structure is shifting,” added Dr Sheikh.

The effects are already visible. Some counties now have more elderly people than children — led by Murang’a, Nyeri, and Vihiga.