Sam Waweru Joins KEDIPA in Push for Disability Inclusion

The Kenya Society for the Blind Executive Director Sam Waweru on Thursday joined Members of the Kenya Disability Parliamentary Association (KEDIPA) and other stakeholders at Parliament Buildings for an engagement aimed at advancing the rights, welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Kenya.

The meeting brought together legislators, disability-sector organisations, public institutions, service providers and development partners to discuss practical interventions to address barriers affecting persons with disabilities.

The engagement underscored the need to move beyond goodwill and translate disability inclusion into enforceable rights, adequate funding and accountability across public institutions.

“We do not want sympathy; we need action and protection by law,” was the message emphasised by legislators serving in KEDIPA as they called for stronger measures to safeguard the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

KEDIPA is a parliamentary caucus bringing together Members of Parliament from the National Assembly and the Senate to champion disability rights through legislation, parliamentary oversight, advocacy and partnerships.

The stakeholder engagement, chaired by KEDIPA Chairperson and Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi, focused on identifying practical solutions to challenges affecting persons with disabilities, including access to assistive devices, employment opportunities, public information and essential services.

Participants raised concerns over the high cost of assistive devices, noting that a wheelchair costing approximately KSh20,000 remains unaffordable for many Kenyans who need one to improve their mobility and independence.

They called for disability-inclusive budgeting and the effective implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, alongside the timely development of regulations necessary to operationalise the law.

Digital accessibility and the growing use of artificial intelligence also featured in the discussions, with stakeholders emphasising the importance of ensuring that technological advancements do not exclude persons with disabilities from accessing information, services and economic opportunities.

The meeting further highlighted the need to strengthen employment opportunities for persons with disabilities by addressing inaccessible recruitment processes and other barriers that prevent qualified candidates from securing jobs.

Tax reliefs on assistive devices and greater involvement of KEDIPA in the national budget-making process were also identified as important areas requiring attention.

Participants additionally discussed the proposed establishment of a Disability Mainstreaming Unit within Parliament to strengthen the integration of disability considerations into parliamentary operations, policies and programmes.

Representation in county assemblies emerged as another concern, with participants noting that 22 county assemblies lacked the representation required by law. They called for concerted efforts to address the gaps and promote inclusive political participation.

The stakeholders also discussed collaboration towards the Second Legislators with Disabilities Conference, which is expected to provide another platform for advancing disability rights and strengthening engagement among lawmakers and other sector players.

For the Kenya Society for the Blind, participation in such engagements provides an opportunity to advance conversations on accessibility, equal opportunities and the removal of barriers affecting persons with visual impairments and other disabilities.

The discussions reinforced the importance of partnerships between Parliament, disability organisations and public institutions in ensuring that policies and legislation translate into tangible improvements in people's lives.

As Kenya continues to pursue inclusive development, stakeholders emphasised that persons with disabilities must be actively involved in decisions affecting them, including the formulation of laws, allocation of public resources and delivery of essential services.

The engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment to building a society where disability does not determine access to education, employment, information, public services or participation in national development.

Through legislative action, institutional accountability and sustained collaboration, KEDIPA and disability-sector stakeholders are seeking to ensure that inclusion becomes a practical reality for Kenyans rather than remaining a policy aspiration.