The Kenyan government has allocated Sh250 million in 2025 to boost the economic empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The announcement was made by Joseph Motari, Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, during the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in New York.
The funding, channeled through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, will support education, economic empowerment, and assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities. Motari affirmed that this initiative marks a significant step towards scaling up Kenya’s economic inclusion agenda for PWDs.
“We are investing in education, assistive technologies, and inclusive economic initiatives to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities,” said Motari.
The government is implementing the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan which emphasizes awareness, socio-economic empowerment, and digital inclusion. Currently, approximately 63,000 households receive monthly stipends of Sh2,000 through government cash transfer programs, with over 20,000 households benefiting specifically under the Autism and Developmental Disabilities programme.
In 2024 alone, about 4,200 assistive devices were distributed and 2,500 scholarships awarded to learners with disabilities. Furthermore, Kenya’s newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) now covers essential services including assistive technology, rehabilitation, and long-term care. SHIF is also collecting disability-disaggregated data to enhance evidence-based policy-making.
The government is also focusing on capacity building and awareness, including sign language training for frontline workers and investments in accessible infrastructure and vocational training.
Motari emphasized that the revised Persons with Disabilities Act and the National Disability Policy, both adopted in 2025, align with the CRPD and the African Charter Protocol. These frameworks ensure inclusive planning, budgeting, and service delivery at all levels of government.
He further called for accelerated implementation of the CRPD globally and urged increased international cooperation for disability inclusion, recommending a 15 percent allocation in global development efforts.
“Kenya remains committed to advancing the rights and leadership of persons with disabilities across all sectors,” he concluded.
