illustration /PHOTO ; Courtesy
Kenya is set to take a step toward improving dementia care and support, following the launch of a major five-year research initiative aimed at strengthening understanding, policy and community-based responses to the disease.
The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, and led by researchers at the University of Stirling will focus on dementia care across both rural and urban communities in Kenya, where cases are rising rapidly but systems for diagnosis, treatment and caregiver support remain limited.
Researchers say the work comes at a critical moment as the country prepares for the long-term implications of an ageing population.
Dementia cases in Kenya are projected to rise by 316 per cent by 2050, according to previous research.
Yet dementia is still widely misunderstood, often not recognised as a medical condition, and in some cases associated with moral, spiritual or cultural explanations.
These beliefs, combined with the absence of a national dementia policy and limited specialist care, have contributed to late diagnosis and poor outcomes for those affected.
For many families, the burden of care falls almost entirely on relatives, often without access to training, financial support or professional guidance.
Health experts say this gap has left caregivers under immense strain and people living with dementia vulnerable to stigma, neglect and exclusion.
The new research aims to help change that trajectory by generating locally grounded evidence to inform dementia policy, improve caregiver training and support the development of dementia-friendly communities across Kenya.
The project will combine interviews, community engagement and creative methods, including film, to capture lived experiences and elevate public understanding of dementia.
“In many African countries, dementia is considered a moral, traditional or spiritual failing. Such beliefs lead to stigma, neglect, abuse and exclusion, with people ostracised from community participation or, in certain circumstances, facing witchcraft accusations,” said Dr Mary Njoki, a Kenyan researcher leading the study.
Dr Njoki noted that limited specialist capacity further compounds the challenge.
Kenya has relatively few neurologists and psychiatrists specialising in older people’s mental health, and there are currently no widely used, culturally sensitive dementia assessment tools.
Factors contributing to low diagnosis rates and delayed care.
The initiative builds on earlier collaborative work in Kenya that identified key barriers to effective dementia care, including restricted access to healthcare services, limited diagnostic tools, and widespread gaps in awareness.
That groundwork has helped shape a research approach that prioritises community-based solutions and cultural relevance.
A central aim of the study is to support Kenya in moving toward more coordinated and inclusive dementia care systems, bridging health services, social support, and community engagement.
Researchers hope the findings will inform future national strategies and help integrate dementia into broader health and ageing policies.
The research is also expected to strengthen local partnerships, working closely with Kenyan academic institutions and civil society organisations already engaged in dementia advocacy and support.
By grounding the work in Kenyan contexts, the project seeks to avoid one-size-fits-all approaches and instead promote solutions that reflect local realities.
Chris Hassan, Senior Research Manager at the Wellcome Trust, said the initiative has the potential to generate impact well beyond the study period.
“This is an innovative and important area of research, which has the potential to inform dementia care in Kenya and beyond,” Hassan said.
“We’re proud to support Dr Njoki, an impressive, emerging research leader, at this exciting stage of her career.”
The study is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with research activities taking place in Kenya alongside international collaboration.
For advocates and families affected by dementia, the initiative signals growing recognition of the issue and renewed momentum toward more compassionate, informed, and effective care across the country.
