NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has allocated over Sh250 million in 2025 to bolster the economic and social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the government announced at the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in New York.
Speaking at the global summit, Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, Joseph Motari, said the funding will support inclusive education, economic empowerment initiatives, and access to assistive technologies.
“Kenya is scaling up its economic inclusion efforts by allocating over Sh250 million this year towards education support, economic empowerment, and assistive technology,” said Motari.
The PS said the government is also implementing a 2023–2027 Strategic Plan that prioritises disability awareness, digital inclusion, and socio-economic empowerment.
As part of these efforts, over 63,000 households are currently benefiting from monthly cash transfer programs, with more than 20,000 enrolled under the Autism and Developmental Disabilities initiative. Each eligible household receives a monthly stipend of Sh2,000.
In 2024, the government distributed about 4,200 assistive devices and awarded 2,500 scholarships to learners with disabilities, according to the ministry.
Motari added that the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) now includes cover for assistive technology, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
The SHIF is also collecting disability-disaggregated data to guide policy and planning.
“We continue to invest in accessible infrastructure, vocational training, and public awareness campaigns, including sign language training for frontline workers,” said Motari.
He also announced that Kenya had revised its Persons with Disabilities Act and enacted a new National Disability Policy in 2025, aligning national laws with the CRPD and the African Charter Protocol.
The reforms aim to ensure inclusive planning, budgeting, and service delivery across all levels of government.
Kenya is also championing a 15 per cent target for disability inclusion in international cooperation and has institutionalised participatory budgeting to better reflect the needs of persons with disabilities.
“We call on all States Parties to accelerate the implementation of the CRPD, invest in inclusive innovation, and uphold the dignity and leadership of persons with disabilities in every sector,” Motari said.
