'If It Were Not for My Church, I Would Have Died': Kenyan Churches Care for Abandoned Older Men
As research shows suicide risk climbing among men over 50 and peaking past 70, congregations in western Kenya are cooking, cleaning, praying and driving older men to hospital
The short answer
According to Christianity Today, churches in western Kenya — including Friends Church in Kakamega and Trans-Nzoia counties and branches of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Ministry — are caring for abandoned older men through monthly home visits and prayer, cooking, cleaning and laundry, transport and support at hospitals, help registering for the government's Social Health Assurance programme, food and money, and counselling. The report cites research showing a steep increase in suicide risk among men over 50, peaking in men over 70.
Joseph Ademba lives in Kakamega County in western Kenya. His verdict on his church is short: "If it were not [for] my church members, I would have died."
He is one of a growing number of older Kenyan men living alone — and one of the people churches there have decided not to leave alone.
The Problem
"Older men abandoned by family face rising suicide risk in Kenya. Churches in Kakamega and Trans-Nzoia are answering with home visits, meals, laundry, hospital runs and prayer — and the men say it is keeping them alive."
Click to copy and shareChristianity Today reports that research in Kenya shows a steep increase in suicide risk among men over 50, peaking in men over 70. A 2025 radio report from Central Kenya documented a surge in suicides linked to spousal abandonment and family conflict. And the World Health Organization projects that Africa's over-60 population will more than double by 2050.
"Many of these abandoned men are retired employees who are not able to look for other employment," said Dismus Mutimba, a pastor at the Kamukuywa branch of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Ministry.
What the Churches Are Doing
Two church families stand out in the report: Friends Church, in Kakamega County and the Kwanza region of Trans-Nzoia County, and The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Ministry, which has more than 56 branches across Kenya. Between them, members:
- visit older men at home every month to pray with them and their families;
- cook meals, clean houses and do laundry;
- drive them to health centres and hospitals, and support them through admission;
- help them register for the government's Social Health Assurance programme;
- give monthly food and money;
- run quarterly seminars, with food and accommodation paid;
- offer counselling, spiritual support — and real roles, such as volunteer financial advisers.
"We have frequent visits to their homes, clean their houses, cook meals, and wash clothes," said Esther Cheboi, who leads the Kisigor branch.
What It Means to the Men
"I can't complain," said Victor Wanjala of Trans-Nzoia County. "When I am sick, the members keep me company. They pray for me, they talk to me, and I feel loved."
The Same Crisis, Different Ages
We've reported on the loneliness of young men in the West and how churches are responding. The Kenyan story is the same crisis at the other end of life: men cut off from family and purpose, and a church that refuses to let them disappear. James defined real religion in almost exactly these terms — not a programme, but showing up for the person who has no one.
Older men abandoned by family face rising suicide risk in Kenya. Churches in Kakamega and Trans-Nzoia are answering with home visits, meals, laundry, hospital runs and prayer — and the men say it is keeping them alive.
Biblical Perspective
James defines religion God accepts as looking after "orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27) — those left without family. Scripture commands honour for the elderly (Leviticus 19:32), and God promises, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you" (Isaiah 46:4). The church becomes the family God promised the lonely: "God sets the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:6).
"God sets the lonely in families."
— Psalm 68:6 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Father, thank You for the churches of western Kenya caring for men who have been left alone. Strengthen Joseph, Victor and every older man in their care. Heal families torn by abandonment, and comfort those who have lost hope. Show our own church who in our community is alone, and send us to them. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›God sets the lonely in families!
- ›No one in our community will be forgotten!
- ›The church will be family to the abandoned!
Take Action
- 1Visit or call an older man in your church or street who lives alone.
- 2Ask your church whether it has a plan for visiting isolated elderly members.
- 3If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact a local crisis line or emergency services now.
"'If it were not for my church, I would have died.' How Kenyan churches are caring for older men left alone."
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Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
How are Kenyan churches helping older men?
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According to Christianity Today, churches such as Friends Church and The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Ministry in western Kenya make monthly home visits, pray with families, cook, clean and do laundry, provide transport and hospital support, help with Social Health Assurance registration, give food and money, run seminars and offer counselling.
Is suicide rising among older men in Kenya?
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Christianity Today cites research showing a steep increase in suicide risk among Kenyan men over 50, peaking in men over 70, and a 2025 Central Kenya radio report documenting a surge in suicides linked to spousal abandonment and family conflict.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Kenyan Churches Combat Abandonment, Suicide Among Older MenChristianity Today
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
Topics:
"God sets the lonely in families."
Psalm 68:6 (NIV)
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