The Trans Nzoia County Commissioner (CC), Samson Ojwang has assured elderly persons living in Bahati home for the elderly of full support from the government.
Speaking during the distribution of foodstuffs and face masks to the 14 families living in the home, Ojwang said the government will, through various programmes, improve their livelihoods.
“We have government programmes such as the Cash Transfer Programme and National Fund for the Disabled which will help you improve your living standards,” he said.
Bahati home for the elderly was established in 1958 to support elderly persons above 55 years, who are physically challenged and with no relatives.
The county executive for Gender, Youth, Culture and Tourism, Aggrey Chemonges said that the devolved unit in partnership with the national government involve various departments of the county such as the health sector and public works to see how best they can improve their living conditions.
Chemonges added that the county government was going to adopt open door policy to deal decisively with matters affecting the elderly at all levels, particularly the vulnerable ones.
Boniface Wekesa who has been staying at the facility for 11 years said that life was challenging adding that even getting a simple meal in a day was a problem.
“Most of us here have aged, getting a meal is a problem, acquiring medical services is not easy and even the living structures here are not suitable,” he said.
The Hands of Grace (an NGO) Chair, Naomi Karani called on the business fraternity and well-wishers to come together in order to support the elderly at the home.
A spot check by KNA has revealed that elderly persons at the home were living in dilapidated structures that were endangering their lives.
By Pauline Ikanda
