The government has allocated Sh250 million in the 2025 fiscal year to boost the inclusion and economic empowerment of persons living with disabilities, an initiative part of the country’s broader commitment to disability rights and social protection.
Speaking at the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, Mr Joseph Motari, said the funds will support education for learners with disabilities, economic empowerment, and assistive technology.
“Kenya is scaling up empowerment initiatives and has allocated over Sh250 million in the year 2025 for education support, economic empowerment, and assistive technology,” said Mr Motari.
He noted that the allocation is part of a wider national effort under the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, which emphasises digital inclusion, public awareness, and sustainable socio-economic programs targeting persons with disabilities.
“The plan also seeks to dismantle systemic barriers through inclusive infrastructure, vocational training, and sign language training for frontline service providers,” he added.
The PS revealed that through the National Safety Net Programme, approximately 63,000 households with persons with disabilities currently receive monthly stipends of Sh2,000. Of these, more than 20,000 beneficiaries are enrolled in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Programme.
“In the past year alone, around 4,200 assistive devices — including hearing aids and wheelchairs — were distributed across the country. Additionally, 2,500 scholarships were awarded to learners with disabilities to help bridge educational gaps and support long-term economic independence,” he said.
He added that healthcare for persons with disabilities is also receiving increased attention through the newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which covers assistive devices, rehabilitation services, and long-term care. The fund also supports the collection of disability-disaggregated data to inform policy and service delivery.
He added that to strengthen legal and policy frameworks, the government revised the Persons with Disabilities Act and enacted the National Disability Policy in early 2025.
“These instruments now guide inclusive planning, budgeting, and service delivery at both national and county levels, aligning with international protocols such as the CRPD and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” he said.
