UN International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) 2026
Kenya is experiencing a significant demographic transition, with the population of older persons projected to increase rapidly over the coming decade. This shift presents growing implications for healthcare systems, social protection structures, long-term care, and community support systems. At the same time, older people continue to face challenges including limited access to geriatric services,
rising non-communicable diseases, increased mental health conditions, sexual health challenges,
age-related functional decline, social exclusion, ageism, economic insecurity, and inadequate
age-friendly environments. Ultimately, IDOP 2026 aims to strengthen national commitment toward ensuring that all older persons in Kenya live healthy, dignified, secure, and socially included lives within supportive and age-friendly communities.
The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) 2026 celebrations provide a timely opportunity to position ageing and older persons’ rights as a national development priority. The celebrations will be convened through a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Health and the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, alongside counties, development partners, academia, civil society, the private sector, and organizations of older persons. The overall goal is to strengthen visibility,
public awareness, policy engagement, and coordinated action on healthy and active ageing in Kenya.