Experiences of elderly persons living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

This brief examines the experiences and challenges faced by older persons in the Korogocho and Viwandani informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The information was collected using Photovoice, a participatory research approach, as a part of work undertaken by the ARISE consortium. Photovoice participants were identified with the support of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) who had a deep understanding of the Korogocho and Viwandani communities. In collaboration with community co-researchers in both Korogocho and Viwandani informal settlements, three categories of people were identified as the most vulnerable and marginalised: people living with disabilities (PWD); older persons over the age of 65; and children heading households who were leading vulnerable lives. This brief will focus on the experiences of older persons looking specifically at the challenges they face, including the burden of caring for themselves and their dependents who include their grown children and grandchildren, existing ailments and lack of access to health care, and poor environmental conditions. For the older persons in both settlements, failing body strength due to old age coupled with the lack of income exacerbated vulnerability and marginalisation. The lack of income generating activities due to old age pushes them deeper into poverty. Consequently, the lack of money results in their inability to buy nutritious food, access to other basic needs and required medication.

Experiences of elderly persons living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya