Современное общество в условиях социально-экономической неопределенности

814 
Мусеве Одри Халенья 
Московский государственный педагогический университет, Москва, 
Россия 
Older persons in the social structure of the Kenyan society: 
implications for policy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic 
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified social inequalities and subjected 
vulnerable groups to increasingly severe ris»s and adversities, hence the need 
to alleviate, through policy, the adverse impact of COVID-19 on such groups. 
As in most countries, older persons in Kenya are among the most vulnerable 
groups, who have also, in different ways, been direly affected by the COVID- 
19 pandemic. Such a pandemic demands extra efforts from governments in 
protecting older persons and safeguarding their rights and dignity. 
Kenya is characterised by a youthful population. However, the older 
population aged 60 and over, currently at 2 740 515, is rising and constitutes 
6% of the total population. A 470% increase by 2050 is projected. Women 
(55%) account for the majority of the older population. As for geographic 
distribution, three-quarters of K enya’s older population live in rural areas 
[1]. 
Retirement in Kenya is at 60 years, thus the majority of older persons lac» 
primary income. Still, most engage in agriculture, others in pottery, weaving 
and stone carving, earning less than US$40 monthly [4]. Such low income has 
upped old-age poverty in Kenya, with households headed by older persons 
reporting high poverty levels [2]. Consequently, older persons have limited 
access to basic needs and no guarantee of a decent life. 
HIV/AIDS has increased skipped-generation households, as elderly 
grandparents raise 50% of Kenya’s 1.7 million AIDS orphans. More than half 
of older persons in «enya today live with young children [3]. In rural areas, 
older persons tend to live in large households with young children, while 
those in urban areas mostly live alone. The number of older persons living 
in institutions is low, as the institutionalisation of elderly family members is 
deemed inconsistent with the African culture. 
Besides participating in the economy and raising grandchildren, older 
persons also play leadership roles in their families and communities. 
However, they remain highly vulnerable, living in poor households and with 
limited development opportunities. This is compounded by urbanisation 
and modernisation, which have wea»ened traditional family and community 
support systems for older persons, amidst insufficient state support. 
That said, the current COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacts the 
quality of life of older persons in Kenya. This is mainly through the 

815 
precautionary measures taken by the government. Kenya has adopted 
the WHO recommendations and instituted additional measures such as 
countrywide dusk-to-dawn curfews in a bid to prevent the escalation of 
COVID-19. Conversely, such measures have had detrimental consequences 
for older persons’ well-being. 
The pandemic has resulted in food insecurity, massive loss of jobs and 
social exclusion. Loss of income has aggravated older persons’ poverty levels, 
rendering them incapable of catering sufficiently to their needs such as food, 
and healthcare. Besides, the loss and brea»down of social networ»s caused 
by COVID-19 has taken a toll on the mental health of older persons, as 
their psychosocial support needs are hardly met. This is especially true 
for older persons living alone, who may also have difficulty accessing valid 
information, food, medications and other crucial supplies during loc»downs. 
On the other hand, older persons living in skipped-generation households 
are predisposed to contagion. Nonetheless, the following recommendations 
are made for the government to alleviate the vulnerability of older persons 
in «enya in the current COVID-19 pandemic:
∙
Prioritise older persons in COVID-19 vaccinations. 
Design policies to protect older persons from contagion and warrant 
their treatment if infected. 
Provide social support and furnish older persons living alone with 
information on accessing medicines, supplies and emotional support. 
Ensure older persons have adequate access to water and sanitation 
facilities. 
Improve the healthcare system to offer quality primary health services 
to older persons and be prepared for future pandemics. 
Ensure timely disbursement of contributory and non-contributory 
pensions to older persons, prioritising those without any pension form. 
Provide older persons with subsidies, emergency funds and food to 
shield them from the economic impact of COVID-19. 

жүктеу/скачать 9,21 Mb.

Достарыңызбен бөлісу: