The government has launched a probe into claims of mistreatment and neglect of vulnerable persons at the Thogoto Care Home for the aged.
According to State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs principal secretary Joseph Motari, the government took proactive steps with a view to fully investigate the matter after it was made aware of the expose by BBC on June 5th this year.
“On the same day, a team from the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs was dispatched to PCEA Thogoto Care Home for the Aged to investigate the allegations,” observed Motari.
The team undertook due diligence to investigate the claims which included interviewing a number of older persons residing at the institution, neighbors among others to uncover the truth.
According to Motari, the team further interviewed the care home’s manager to assess the admission procedure as well as the criteria, care and support services offered to those housed at the institution.
“It is important to note that the State Department periodically conducts spot-checks on both residential and non-residential care homes for the elderly to assess compliance with the National Standards and Guidelines on the establishment and management of Institutions for older persons.” Said the PS.
He said the department remains committed to working with various stakeholders including families, communities, state and non-state actors to develop robust strategies and frameworks for safeguarding the welfare of older persons.
As part of the commitment to the well-being of senior citizens, Motari says the cabinet has approved the enlisting of an additional 500,000 older persons to the lnua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme beginning the 1st of September 2023.
Earlier this week, a BBC Africa Eye investigation revealed vulnerable residents at the care home being mistreated and neglected.
The care home was set up by the Women’s Guild of the local PCEA church but is now managed independently and is home to around 50 elderly women and men.
