Government Spokesman Hon. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura leading national celebrations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Kenya Society for the Blind.
By Peace Muthoka
Kenya renewed its push for a fairer and more inclusive society today as Government Spokesman Hon. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura led national celebrations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Kenya Society for the Blind. He used the moment to highlight major progress in disability inclusion and to outline the government’s next steps in strengthening rights, access and representation.
Dr. Mwaura said this year’s theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” captures the country’s core belief that every Kenyan deserves dignity, equal opportunity and full participation. He noted that the Constitution already places inclusion at the heart of national values. He added that the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2025 now gives this commitment stronger legal force by anchoring Kenya’s domestication of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He said the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda continues to open space for persons with disabilities to access opportunities, public services and economic empowerment programmes. He stressed that no Kenyan should be left behind as the government invests in fairness, equity and shared prosperity.
Dr. Mwaura highlighted the growing impact of the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme. He said the government now supports more than 50,000 households caring for persons with severe disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. He said the programme gives families stability, dignity and the ability to meet essential needs without hardship. He also pointed out that persons with disabilities are receiving more support to enter business and employment through access to the Hustler Fund and other enterprise development initiatives.
He said the government raised the age limit for youth with disabilities under the NYOTA programme to 35 years to bridge longstanding gaps and promote fairness across generations. He said the move already benefits thousands of young people who need more time and support to overcome participation barriers. So far, more than 820,000 youth have joined NYOTA, a sign that demand for opportunity remains high.
Dr. Mwaura announced steady progress in safeguarding rights and improving accessibility. He said the government has finalized the Persons with Disabilities National Policy 2024. He added that the Inter-Agency Coordinating Advisory Committee has been strengthened to unite ministries, counties and organizations of persons with disabilities under one collaborative framework.
He said the State Department for Labour and Social Protection continues to drive major reforms through its Disability Empowerment and Vocational Rehabilitation Department. These reforms include training county disability champions, developing Community-Based Inclusive Development manuals and expanding community support so persons with disabilities can thrive in their own environments, not in institutions.
He praised civil society, political parties and community-based groups for helping widen civic participation for persons with disabilities. He said the growth in representation across leadership spaces, including within political organizations, shows Kenya’s democracy is becoming more inclusive and reflective of its people.
Dr. Mwaura also outlined gains captured in the Kenya Kwanza three-year disability inclusion scorecard. He said the government has improved access to healthcare through community-based rehabilitation, expanded assistive devices and strengthened disability-responsive services in primary healthcare.
He said schools for the blind, including Thika Primary and Thika High School, now have better teaching materials, more specialized teachers and improved inclusive infrastructure. He noted that Thika High School for the Blind received Sh20 million last year for key infrastructural upgrades following his intervention and the President’s approval.
Dr. Mwaura said these actions show Kenya’s firm commitment to building a nation where every person with a disability feels valued, supported and able to contribute to national development without discrimination. He urged all sectors to stay focused on inclusion and to ensure that progress reaches every community.
