Francis Kariuki’s scientific contributions

... For generations, African elders have held judicial powers, maintained social order, negotiated peace pacts with clans, communities and ethnic groups, settled disputes, facilitated reconciliations, formulated laws, overseen the sharing and distribution of community resources and presided over trials. They have acted as intermediaries between God and the people, appeased ancestors and spirits, prayed for their communities, led religious ceremonies and guided younger generations through life's challenges (Ajayi and Buhari, 2014;Kariuki, 2015;Gumo, 2017). Even today, many African countries are led by older leaders. ...

Reference:

‘Because I am a woman, an old woman, I have no voice’: gendered ageism and disempowerment of older women in three African countries