IDOP: Suqoon Founder Pushes for Greater Support for Caregivers and Older Persons
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI — Suqoon Kenya founder Shakira has called for a dedicated Older Persons Act to strengthen caregiver support, promote dignified care and ensure older people play a central role in decisions affecting their lives.
Speaking during the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) celebrations, Shakira said the proposed legislation would establish a legal, policy and institutional framework to recognise and support caregivers while advancing the rights, autonomy and meaningful participation of older persons.
She emphasised that caring for older people is a shared responsibility of families, communities, institutions and government, noting that supporting caregivers is equally important in ensuring the wellbeing of older persons.
“Each one of us is a carer or a potential carer. As people live longer, families and communities need to be prepared—not only to respond to care needs, but to anticipate them,” she said.
Shakira said an Older Persons Act could help build a supportive environment for caregivers through public awareness, preparedness, training, psychosocial support, respite care, capacity building and appropriate compensation or social protection.
She also underscored the role of institutional caregivers in rebuilding relationships and social connections, empowering families and strengthening community support around older people.
To enhance the work of these institutions, she proposed government technical and financial support, including appropriate funding mechanisms, capacity building, clear standards and tax waivers or other incentives to enable them to provide quality, affordable and dignified care.
Beyond caregiver support, Shakira said the proposed law would reinforce the recognition of older persons as rights-holders and promote their active involvement in decisions concerning their welfare.
She acknowledged the Social Protection Act, 2025 as an important milestone in advancing social protection in Kenya, adding that a dedicated Older Persons Act would complement this progress by providing a framework tailored to the rights and participation of older people.
Shakira noted that representation of older persons on the Social Protection Board is important, while emphasising the need to deepen their participation and self-representation.
She said older persons should be recognised not only as beneficiaries of social protection but also as drivers, thinkers and decision-makers in matters affecting their lives.
The proposed legislation, she added, would strengthen their autonomy and support the principles of participation and inclusiveness under Article 10 of the Constitution, alongside the specific rights of older persons provided for under Article 57.
“We must move from representation of older persons to participation and self-representation by older persons,” she said.
“Nothing about older persons should be decided without the meaningful participation of older persons.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 IDOP conference, Shakira proposed an assessment of government ministries and departments to establish the services and resources they currently offer older people and identify opportunities to expand support.
She said the exercise would help bring relevant government agencies on board and encourage coordinated efforts to create more spaces, services and resources for older persons across Kenya.
The proposal seeks to strengthen collaboration among government, families, communities and institutions, ensuring that older people receive appropriate care while remaining actively involved in shaping the policies and services that affect them.
Shakira said preparing for an ageing population requires a comprehensive approach that supports caregivers, empowers families and upholds the dignity and rights of older persons.
