Dementia is a neurological condition affecting thousands of older Kenyans. This condition strips individuals of their memories and independence. It should not strip them of their dignity and humanity.
Yet, ignorance and superstition continue to condemn elderly people with dementia to dispossession, isolation and even death.
A study reported elsewhere in this newspaper reveals the tragic fate of dementia patients in Kilifi and beyond.
Victims are branded as 'mad' or 'bewitched', ostracised and left to suffer alone. Some have been brutally murdered under the guise of purging evil.
Others are robbed of their property by family members or opportunistic neighbours. Their 'madness' is used to justify the theft of land and homes. Legal protections are weak, leaving victims defenceless. Ignorance fuels this cruelty.
Public education campaigns are critical to dispelling harmful myths about dementia. Communities must be taught that dementia is a medical condition linked to ageing and brain health—not malevolent forces. Religious leaders, chiefs and educators should champion this cause.
The government must also strengthen legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of dementia patients. Those who exploit, mistreat or kill them must face the full force of the law. There can be no tolerance for such inhumanity.
Quote of the Day: "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”
John Milton
The English poet was born on December 9, 1608
