4th August 2025
Over 70 participants joined the Powerful Session on the Rights-Based Model of Disability Inclusion
We were honored to have Denis Ngure, Disability Inclusion Specialist, facilitate an insightful Webinar session on the Rights-Based Model of Disability Inclusion, drawing in over 70 participants from across Kenya. What started as a conceptual discussion turned into a practical roadmap for making inclusion non-negotiable in policy and budgeting processes.
Key Takeaways:
- Rights over pity: Disability inclusion isn’t a favor—it’s an obligation grounded in human rights.
- Context matters: We contrasted the Rights-Based Model with the Medical, Charity, and Social models, grounding the discussion in Kenyan realities and policy implications.
- Practical application: We analyzed concrete strategies to embed inclusion into planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
Special thanks to everyone who joined–––from Disability Rights Advocates, OPDs, the National and County government reps, CSOs, private sector representatives s and all others who engaged and committed to shifting mindsets.
Strengthening Disability Rights: Harmonizing the Kiambu County Disability Act with the National Framework
On June 23–24, 2025, Kiambu County reached a critical milestone in advancing disability rights by convening a high-level stakeholder workshop focused on revising the Kiambu County Disability Act of 2024.
This pivotal engagement builds upon the inception meeting organized by County Governance Watch in collaboration with The Oslo Centre, signaling a strong commitment to aligning county legislation with the newly enacted Kenya National Disability Act 2025.
The two-day workshop, led by the Directorate of Gender and Social Services under Chief Officer Ms. Emily Nkoroi and the Department of Education, Gender, Culture & Social Services under CECM Dr. Mercy Njagi, brought together a wide array of stakeholders. These included the County Assembly’s Youth and Social Services Sectoral Committee, representatives from the Legal and Finance Departments, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, disability rights organizations, and development partners.
The forum, supported by the Technical Working Group (TWG), examined gaps within the current county legislation and outlined transformative proposals aimed at ensuring persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kiambu fully enjoy the rights and protections guaranteed at the national level. Key proposed revisions include:
Transition from Board to Committee Structure
Replacing the existing Board with a Committee as required by the National Act to improve inclusivity, transparency, and decision-making efficiency.
Committee Alignment with Mwongozo Guidelines
Ensuring the committee’s composition adheres to both the National Disability Act and public sector governance standards under the Mwongozo framework.
Inclusion of Previously Omitted Rights
Integrating social, economic, cultural, and political rights that were previously unaddressed to promote full empowerment of PWDs.
Decentralization through Ward-Level Subcommittees
Establishing ward-level structures to foster grassroots participation, local accountability, and efficient service delivery.
Dedicated Funding Mechanisms
Introducing specific budgetary provisions for disability-related initiatives to ensure sustainable development and program continuity.
Clear Implementation Framework
Mapping out actionable steps and timelines to ensure the law translates into real, measurable outcomes for the disability community.
This harmonization effort not only aligns legal frameworks but embodies the County’s broader vision for inclusive governance, dignity, and equal opportunity. Stakeholders reaffirmed their collective resolve to co-create a disability-responsive legal and policy environment that positions Kiambu County as a national benchmark in advancing disability rights.
Disability Mainstreaming Hub
The Disability Mainstreaming hub consists of Persons with Disabilities advocates championing specific issues related to disabilities in each of the 14 counties
Kenya’s legal framework for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is robust, encompassing national laws such as the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which ensures equal rights and non-discrimination, and the Persons with Disabilities Act (2003), which establishes the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to promote their welfare. Regionally, Kenya adheres to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Internationally, Kenya has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which emphasize inclusive education, employment, and reducing inequalities for PWDs.
Addressing PWD issues effectively is crucial for upholding these commitments and achieving social justice, economic benefits, and improved health and education outcomes. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicates that approximately 2.2% of the population, or around 900,000 individuals, are persons with disabilities. PWDs face higher poverty rates, limited access to healthcare, and lower educational attainment compared to their non-disabled peers. By addressing these disparities, Kenya can ensure that PWDs contribute fully to society, enhancing productivity and reducing dependency, while fulfilling its national, regional, and international obligations to protect and promote the rights of PWDs.
Kiambu
Despite the recent passage of the Kiambu County Persons with Disabilities Act, 2024, which aims to safeguard the rights and well-being of PWDs, the reality on the ground remains stark. PWDs in Kiambu County continue to face numerous challenges, including limited access to healthcare services, employment opportunities, and public amenities.
PWDs in Kiambu County, particularly those in the Uthiru Ward, face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services at the Uthiru Dispensary. The facility lacks essential accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms, making it difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. Additionally, the staff may not be adequately trained to provide care for PWDs with specific needs. These barriers prevent PWDs from receiving timely and quality healthcare, hindering their overall well-being.
The Uthiru Ward community budget cell, composed of local advocates for PWD rights who’ve been in the sphere of advocacy for some time, aims to address this disparity. Recognizing the critical need for improved healthcare accessibility, the cell has prioritized health service delivery at the Uthiru Dispensary as a key focus area. By focusing on this specific facility, the cell can effectively advocate for infrastructure upgrades, staff training, and inclusive service delivery to ensure that PWDs in the ward receive the care and support they need.
- Advocate for improved accessibility and inclusivity at the Uthiru Dispensary– This objective focuses on physical accessibility, such as ramps and accessible restrooms, as well as staff training to provide inclusive healthcare services to PWDs.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the Kiambu County Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2024– This objective aims to work with County government officials, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the provisions of the bill are adhered to and that PWDs benefit from its implementation.
- To familiarize ourselves with the cell and members to be brought to speed about the cell, objectives and nechub
- To identify the focal point of our advocacy call
- To create the cell’s communication structure and individual roles within the cell set-up
Public participation engagement on the Regulations for the Kiambu Disability Act. Nelson Maina, NEC Regional Budget Hub Coordinator and Rahab Karanga, a Budget Facilitator from Kiambu, were in attendance and were joined by Department officials and the County Assembly.
