This paper is an extract from a study conducted by the author to examine population ageing in Kenya. It
attempts to understand whether the needs and concerns of the older persons, in the leading ageing
district of Lamu and lagging ageing district of Turkana in Kenya, are entirely borne by the communities
of which they are part. Using a population of all persons aged 60 years and over in Turkana and Lamu
based on the 1999 Kenya population and housing census1
data, a selected sample of 100 older persons
from Lamu and a similar one from Turkana district were deemed large enough to allow for estimation of
parent population parameters. Respondents were selected using respondent driven and simple random
procedures, and then descriptive and inferential data analysis used to realize desired outcomes. The
socio-economic livelihoods of the older persons in Lamu and Turkana districts were compared in the
contexts of their livelihood bases such as pastoralism, irrigated agriculture, fishing and some business
ventures. The study also examined vulnerability to particularly drought/floods, insecurity and famine as
well as their coping mechanisms. This paper provides some critical analysis and insights on
demographic characteristics, living arrangements and support systems, gender and role differentiation
with ageing, older people’s participation, as well as their economic and health issues. It is concluded
that the traditional family set up still plays a significant role in the lives of the older persons as they
find, to a great extent, satisfaction of their social and economic needs in the family.