Ageing luxury: What Kenya can learn from China’s approach on senior citizens

As Kenya continues to develop its social welfare programs for the elderly, there are valuable lessons to be drawn from China’s holistic and dignified approach to senior care.

In China, all citizens aged 60 and above enjoy a wide range of free essential government services. These include free transport on trains and public buses, free entry to public museums and parks, as well as free medical services in public hospitals.

The policy is rooted in a national belief that by the age of 60, a citizen has made their full contribution to society and nation-building, and it is now time for the nation to give back.

Even pensioners such as retired university professors benefit fully from these privileges. Each senior citizen is issued a special government ID card, which grants them access to these services at no cost.

According to Sun Jiwen, former Ambassador of China to the Republic of Gabon and a beneficiary of the program, seniors simply tap their card on the fare scanner when boarding a train or bus, and the system automatically exempts them from paying.

In addition, all fare payments in China are cashless, typically made through mobile apps like WeChat, making the process quick, efficient, and inclusive for both the tech-savvy and the elderly. Senior citizens also wear smartwatches with all their personal information, including health data.

Unlike in China, elderly citizens in Kenya aged 70 years and above who do not receive pension are supported through the government's Inua Jamii program. This social protection initiative provides a monthly stipend of Ksh.2,000, which is disbursed every two months, amounting to Ksh.4,000 bi-monthly.

The goal is to improve the welfare and living standards of older persons.

While Inua Jamii is a step in the right direction, China’s model offers a more comprehensive and dignified approach, treating senior citizens as honoured members of society with automatic, system-wide access to essential services.

The foundation of this program lies in the teachings of the great Chinese thinker and philosopher Confucius (551 BC–479 BC), who emphasised respect for the elderly. To this day, Chinese people, guided by Confucian philosophy, uphold virtues such as benevolence, filial piety, and loyalty to create social harmony.

Core beliefs of Confucianism include the inherent goodness of human nature, the importance of education for moral development, the five key relationships that structure society, and the reciprocal duties between individuals.

Kenya has an opportunity to reimagine its support for the elderly, not just as a welfare obligation but as a reward for decades of service and contribution.

By learning from China’s example, Kenya could lower the eligible age for benefits to 60, expand free public services for seniors beyond cash stipends, integrate smart ID cards to streamline access to services, and promote cashless systems for easier and more secure transactions.

Investing in the dignity and well-being of our senior citizens is not just a social responsibility—it is a reflection of the kind of society we aspire to be.