“Caring for the Carers”: Suqoon Founder Shakira Calls for Stronger Legal Protection for Caregivers
By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
NAIROBI, Kenya — October 3, 2026 — Suqoon Founder Shakira has called for stronger legal, policy and institutional support for caregivers as Kenya considers the importance of an Older Persons Act in strengthening care and protection for the country’s ageing population.
Shakira said caring for older persons is a shared responsibility involving families, communities, institutions and government, adding that supporting caregivers must be recognised as an essential part of protecting older people.
“Caring for the carers is therefore an essential part of caring for older persons,”Shakira said.
She noted that every person is either a caregiver or a potential caregiver, particularly as people live longer and families increasingly face the need to prepare for long-term care.
According to Shakira, an Older Persons Act could establish a clear legal, policy and institutional framework to recognise, support and protect caregivers through awareness, preparedness, training, psychosocial support, respite care, capacity building and appropriate compensation or social protection.
She also highlighted the important role played by institutional caregivers in helping older persons maintain relationships and social connections while empowering families and strengthening community support systems.
Shakira said institutional caregivers also require meaningful support from government to enable them to provide quality, affordable and dignified services.
She called for an Older Persons Act to provide mechanisms for government technical and financial support, appropriate funding, capacity building, clear care standards and possible tax waivers or other incentives for institutions providing care to older persons.
She emphasised that strengthening caregivers ultimately strengthens the entire system of care for older persons.
“Preparing for ageing means preparing not only to care for older people, but also to support the people who provide that care,” Khawaja said.
The call comes as discussions around the rights, dignity, health, security and social protection of older persons continue to gain attention in Kenya, with stakeholders urging stronger systems that recognise the changing needs of an ageing population.
