The impact of the methodist church in addressing challenges of the elderly in Meru County, Kenya
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Date
2018-03
Authors
Kathambi, Fridah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of the Methodist Church of Kenya in
addressing challenges faced by the elderly in Imenti South, Meru County. The
research was guided by the following objectives: Identifying the status of the
elderly in Imenti south, identifying factors behind challenges facing the elderly in
Imenti South, assessing the effects of the strategies of the Methodist Church in
addressing the concerns of the elderly in Imenti South and suggesting holistic
strategies to address challenges of the elderly in Imenti South. The study was
guided by the Christian/Biblical teaching and the modernization theory in order to
deal with the increasing aging population in Meru County of Kenya. The
challenges facing the elderly are not only a challenge to the Church but, also to
other societal institutions. The Church has realized the unique problems facing the
elderly, and it has attempted to respond to the complex issues of the elderly. So
the purpose of this study was to examine how the Methodist Church of Kenya has
involved herself with this challenge facing the elderly. The study was both
qualitative and quantitative. It employed descriptive research design. This was
preferred because it allowed the researcher to collect in-depth interviews,
questionnaires and observations to gather factual information systematically and
record the characteristics of interest as they occur. A total of 546 respondents out
of 1,784 Mikumbune congregants were selected using stratified and simple
random sampling methods. Data was collected using open and closed ended
questionnaires, interviews and observation schedule. The tools were validated
through a pilot study conducted in Nkubu Circuit of the Methodist church, Imenti
South. The categories of respondents were the elderly, clergy, middle aged and
youth. The study revealed that there are many challenges facing the elderly raging
from sexual harassment, abuse, neglect, murder and inadequate good will from
the church towards supporting the elderly. The basic purpose of this study is to
bring out the concerted effort which has been muted by the government, the
church, family members and non-governmental organizations in supporting the
elderly. Elderly care awareness campaign by the church and government is
necessary in order to address the situation currently being faced by the elderly in
Meru County and Imenti South in particular. The study recommends that the
church focus on teaching on care of the elderly to strengthen the basic unit of the
society, which is the safety net for the elderly. The government should also
spearhead massive education on the rights of the elderly persons in Kenya. This
would reduce the challenges brought about by ignorance
Description
A thesis submitted to the school of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts (religious studies) of Kenyatta University. March, 2018