A new study on cerebral palsy in Buuri Constituency has exposed persistent gaps in awareness, specialised healthcare, caregiver support and social inclusion, despite significant improvement in public knowledge of the condition.

The findings were unveiled during the launch of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Study on Cerebral Palsy in Buuri Constituency, conducted by Ipsos Africa in partnership with the Dorcas Society and Njeri Maria Foundation.

The research, carried out in two phases in 2024 and 2026, sought to establish how families and communities understand cerebral palsy and the challenges faced by children living with the condition and their caregivers.

Dorcas Society founder Doris Mugambi said the organisation remained committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children through sustainable community-based interventions.

Through its Eagle’s Wings programme, the society provides therapy, rehabilitation, caregiver support and advocacy for children living with cerebral palsy.

Mugambi said that since 2023, the organisation, working with the Njeri Maria Foundation, had conducted 24 therapy camps, benefiting more than 130 children with cerebral palsy in Buuri Constituency.

She said the research would provide evidence needed to strengthen early diagnosis, rehabilitation, referral systems and multidisciplinary care while guiding policy and promoting disability-inclusive healthcare.

Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiiri described the report as an important starting point in formally recognising and addressing the needs of children living with special needs in the constituency.

“It is biblical to take care of the children,” Rindikiiri said, arguing that development should go beyond roads, water and electricity to include social transformation and the wellbeing of vulnerable members of society.

The MP said the findings would help the constituency identify facilities required to support children with special needs, including the possibility of establishing a special school in Buuri.

Rindikiiri pledged to follow up on the recommendations and escalate the issue to President William Ruto, saying more action was needed to address challenges facing families raising children with disabilities.

“We have all let our people down by not addressing the real issues affecting children with special needs,” he said.

He urged residents to identify children with special needs within their villages and ensure they receive the necessary support.

The MP also said support for people with special needs would feature prominently in his political agenda and called for increased civic education to improve understanding of disability within communities.

He said the constituency would continue working with Community Health Promoters to identify cases at the grassroots and explore empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities.

Awareness rises, but knowledge gaps remain

The study found a major improvement in awareness of cerebral palsy between 2024 and 2026.

Researchers noted that in 2024, caregivers and local leaders reported that the condition did not have a commonly recognised local name and was sometimes associated with witchcraft, curses or divine punishment.

By 2026, awareness of the term cerebral palsy had risen to 97 per cent among caregivers.

However, understanding of the medical causes of the condition remained low.

Only 29 per cent of respondents correctly identified genetic factors, while 26 per cent recognised prenatal infections as possible causes. Meanwhile, 48 per cent continued to give non-medical explanations for the condition.

The researchers recommended culturally appropriate and medically accurate information materials in Meru and Kiswahili, focusing on the causes, treatment and available support for cerebral palsy.

Social media was identified as an important channel for future awareness campaigns, with 51 per cent of caregivers naming it as their preferred source of information.

Families struggle to access specialised care

The research also revealed significant challenges in accessing specialised cerebral palsy services.

In 2024, healthcare providers reported that there was no local neurologist, forcing families to travel to Embu, Nairobi or Meru for specialist diagnosis.

By 2026, only 42 per cent of caregivers not connected to the Dorcas Society programme knew that assessment and therapy services were available locally.

Only 21 per cent were aware of assistive devices that could support children living with disabilities.

The report recommended mobile clinics and scheduled outreach services to bring assessment and therapy closer to families.

It also called for training local healthcare workers on early detection, improved referral systems and the use of telemedicine to connect families with specialists.

Women bear the biggest caregiving burden

The study further highlighted a significant gender imbalance in caregiving responsibilities.

Women were perceived as responsible for domestic chores by 88 per cent of respondents, childcare by 91 per cent, healthcare decisions by 87 per cent, and caring for sick or disabled family members by 80 per cent.

At the same time, 57 per cent of respondents viewed men as controlling major financial decisions.

The report found that 46 per cent of caregivers were providing care alone without a support system.

Researchers recommended expanding caregiver support groups, respite care and economic empowerment initiatives, including vocational training, microfinance, table banking and daycare services.

Stigma still affects families

Although attitudes towards the rights of people living with cerebral palsy had improved, stigma and social exclusion remained a concern.

Between 95 and 99 per cent of respondents agreed with the core rights of people living with cerebral palsy.

However, 33 per cent still believed people with the condition should remain solely under the care of their caregivers, while 21 per cent felt mothers should be the only acceptable caregivers.

The study found that 23 per cent of households had experienced social exclusion, with disability cited as the reason in 66 per cent of those cases.

Researchers recommended targeted anti-stigma campaigns involving peer caregivers, religious leaders and community leaders.

They also proposed inclusive sporting, artistic and church-based activities to encourage greater participation of children and adults living with cerebral palsy.

Call for stronger government coordination

The study further identified gaps in government support and access to disability-related services.

Only 41 per cent of caregivers not affiliated with the Dorcas Society knew of any local cerebral palsy support resource, while 38 per cent had participated in a cerebral palsy-related programme.

Researchers called for a coordinated mechanism bringing together the Ministry of Health, county government, Dorcas Society, Njeri Maria Foundation and other organisations working with people living with cerebral palsy.

Ipsos Kenya Managing Director Chris Githaiga said the research was made possible through the participation of caregivers, families, healthcare workers, local leaders and community members who shared their experiences.

Githaiga said the findings would help stakeholders better understand the realities facing families affected by cerebral palsy and strengthen interventions aimed at improving access to care and inclusion.

He also commended the Dorcas Society for organising therapy camps and establishing support systems for children living with cerebral palsy and their families.

The launch has now placed renewed focus on the need for early diagnosis, accessible therapy, caregiver support and disability-inclusive development in Buuri, with stakeholders calling for the study's recommendations to be translated into practical action.