Kirinyaga comes third in abuse on the elderly.

Kirinyaga comes third in abuse on the elderly.

Kirinyaga County has been ranked third in abuse of the elderly persons, after Kilifi and Kisii.

The situational analysis regarding abuse of the elderly the Directorate for Social Development identified Mwea Community Capacity Support Program (CCSP) for renovation as a Rescue Centre. 

Speaking in Mwea cabinet secretary for social development Simon Chelugui said the elderly are supposed to be looked after and not abuse.

The abuse has been attributed to property inheritance where the life expectancy is shorter due to mistreatment, the abuse is perpetuated by family members.

The Sh47 Million modern rescue center situated in Ngurubani, Mwea constituency, will see 45 persons but the number of the abused is high.

It will be run by the directorate for social development.

“In this county, our studies showed that the abuses of the elderly persons were triggered by incidents of inheritance of family property especially land by their own children with some instances such parents being murdered, Chelugui said,

The facilities in this home include single self-contained rooms with hotel-like facilities ideal for an elderly person requiring time in privacy, while other rooms can accommodate up to four people, depending on the need of such clients.

The opening was witnessed by the Mwea MP Kabinga Wathayu, Nominated MP David Sankok-where they called upon Kenyans to look after the elderly.

The nominated MP said traditionally, the elderly are not supposed to be abused but taken care of but today the elderly have turned to be the target from their own children.

“Children take care of their elderly parents, they are our gold but the gold has turned out to be a target,”said Sankok.

Sankok also added that many elderly people are dying poor due to the treatment they are getting right at home.

Kabinga on his part said that Mwea leads in abuse on the elderly citing that, majority have been rendered homeless by their own children, relatives due to their land.

“We know Mwea has had a history of elderly being chased from their own homes by their children, wives due to land we hope that the center will be a temporary place for them to first get shelter, counselors are also going to be available for their mental wellness,” Kabinga added.

They urged Mwea residents and Kenyans at large to stop the vice saying it is a curse to chase the man of the house form his own matrimonial home.

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