They'll face full force of law: State says on alleged abuse of elderly

 

The Ministry of Labour has broken its silence on the alleged mistreatment of the elderly at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Thogoto in Kiambu.

The PS Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs at the Ministry of Labour Joseph Motari in a statement said he became aware of the BBC expose on June 5 and immediately dispatched a team to further investigate the matter.

Motari said the team undertook due diligence to instigate the allegations which included interviewing some older persons in the institution and neighbours, to uncover the truth.

The team further interviewed the manager to assess the admission procedure and criteria and the care and support services to the residents.

Even though the PS does not disclose the findings from the investigation, he said those found culpable will face the law.

“The state department periodically conducts spot checks on both residential and non-residential care homes for the elderly to assess compliance to the national standards and guidelines,” Motari said.

“We affirm that those found culpable of non-compliance will face the full force of the law.” 

In an exposé by the BBC, two undercover journalists, who had their loved ones admitted into the facility, got employed inside the premise armed with hidden cameras and got to film the alleged injustice served on the elderly.

The home is said to have been established by the Women's Guild of the local PCEA church but managed independently.

On Tuesday, PCEA Thogoto said it had launched investigations into the chilling revelations of mistreatment of elderly persons at the care home for the aged.

The church said it was working with concerned parties on the ground and the National Council of Churches of Kenya to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted.

"We have learned from social media of the circulating information about Thogoto Home for the Aged," the church said in a statement. 

"We don't condone any unjust or inhumane treatment to any member of the society whether young or old and especially our senior members within the community."    BY THE STAR