Kathambi, Fridah2018-09-272018-09-272018-03http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/18664A 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, 2018This 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 ignoranceenThesis