Are Kenya’s Older Adults Being Left Behind in Universal Health Coverage?

Alarm on age-based exclusion in healthcare financing in Kenya

Medical Staff: Are older citizens well catered for in the UHC planning?

As Kenya moves forward in implementing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a critical demographic risks being forgotten—older adults. With over 3.2 million Kenyans aged 60 and above, the country is experiencing a demographic shift that demands urgent attention in health policy and service provision.

At the Regional Health Promotion Conference (RHPC) 2025, Titus Abworo, CEO of the Ageing Concern Foundation, sounded the alarm on age-based exclusion in healthcare financing. He emphasized that many older persons live in poverty, struggling to meet basic needs—especially healthcare—due to inadequate income support and rising medical costs.

While the Inua Jamii program provides a stipend of Ksh 2,000 to citizens aged 70 and above, those between 60 and 70 years—despite being constitutionally recognized as older persons—are left without formal support. This gap, combined with low health insurance coverage, results in many older Kenyans facing catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenses.

Experts at the conference, including Dr. Abraham Rugo of Bajeti Hub, highlighted the unsustainability of Kenya’s current health financing model, where public taxes cover only half of the costs and nearly a quarter comes from individuals’ pockets. For older Kenyans, especially those out of formal employment, this creates a dangerous cycle of financial vulnerability.

Another concern raised was the lack of geriatric training among healthcare workers, leading to inadequate care and limited access to specialists for ageing-related conditions. As Abworo pointed out, while children are often quickly referred to specialists, older adults are frequently overlooked.

Despite these challenges, there is hope. Kenya is among the few African nations to have ratified the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Older People, which calls for increased healthcare services for the ageing population. Effective implementation of such policies could mark a turning point.

At ADK, we echo the call for inclusive, age-sensitive health reforms that recognize ageing as a blessing, not a burden. It’s time to prioritize the dignity and health rights of Kenya’s senior citizens in the UHC agenda—because no one should grow old in fear of falling through the cracks.