Kenyan government has announced plans to build modern homes to take care of its senior citizens in all counties, starting with Kirinyaga.
The pilot project is to take-off at Ngurubani town in June this year.
The homes are meant to serve as safe haven for the elderly, following research which indicates that some of them have been abandoned by their children who migrated to urban centres.
The home, already put up by the Social Services Directorate at a cost of Sh47 million will start to admit the elderly who have no caregivers.
It will admit 45 such old persons whose relatives will be required to pay some minimal fee for the period of admission.
“These homes will be the best resort for the elderly since they will be provided the care they require and in such a conducive environment,” said Peter Ndambiri the Deputy Governor, Kirinyaga.
Ndambiri who visited the Home asked local residents to make full utilization of the facility.
The Director, Social Development and Head of Family Promotion and Social Welfare Lissel Mugoka said the facility in Mwea was a pilot one adding the same will be replicated in the remaining 46 counties.
Mogaka who had led a high-level delegation of staffers from his Directorate asked the local leadership to support the project whose success will improve the living conditions of the elderly from the area.
He said although some minimal fees will be payable to the institution, the elderly will be receiving maximum care possible to make them comfortable in their sunset years.
Relatives of the boarding elderly will be allowed to visit them while each will be provided with a self-contained room at the facility.
The homes across the country will also serve as a rescue centre for the abandoned and abused senior citizens by their relatives who might be living far away or not interested in taking care of such aged parents.
