Regional Disability Summit in Nairobi Highlights Progress and Challenges Ahead of Global Summit
Today, the UK Government, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau, and the African Disability Forum (ADF) gathered at the regional disability summit in Nairobi to address the challenges and advancements for persons with disabilities (PWD) in Africa. The summit, titled “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-Pandemic World,” served as a precursor to the upcoming Global Disability Summit set for April 2025.
The event underscored the transformative impact of technology and innovation in enhancing opportunities for PWD. Since the inaugural Global Disability Summit co-hosted by the UK and Kenya in 2018, both countries have made significant strides in advancing disability inclusion. The UK has launched Africa’s first assistive technology accelerator, InnovateNow, which supports startups with mentorship, live labs, and ecosystem development. This initiative has also collaborated with Shujaaz comics to challenge stigma by incorporating characters with disabilities.
Additionally, the UK has supported digital access for PWD through the Digital Access Programme, which has facilitated access to Kenyan government services like the e-citizen platform and provided digital skills training to over 10,000 PWD and senior citizens.
Cabinet Secretary Mercy Wanjau highlighted Kenya’s commitment to disability inclusion and praised the ADF for convening the summit. She emphasized the importance of accessibility and equity in achieving Vision 2030, citing the 2019 Census data that revealed 2.2% of Kenyans, or about 900,000 people, live with disabilities. Wanjau also noted improvements being made to the e-Citizen platform following a 2023 accessibility audit, aimed at enhancing digital access for PWD.
Dr. Jacqueline Owigo, Social Development Advisor at the British High Commission, stressed the urgency of collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society, and international partners to foster a more inclusive society. She highlighted the Inclusive Futures initiative, funded by the UK and led by Sightsavers and the International Disability Alliance, which has supported inclusive education and business development for PWD in Kenya. This initiative has seen county governments commit £1.8 million (KES 300M) to create over 250 inclusive early childhood development centers by 2027 and has supported more than 7,500 PWD in developing sustainable businesses.
Moses Chege, Sightsavers’ Country Director in Kenya, pointed out that despite progress, significant barriers remain for PWD, who continue to face higher rates of poverty and obstacles in education, healthcare, and employment. As the world looks towards the Global Disability Summit in Berlin in April 2025, Chege called for renewed focus on addressing these ongoing challenges.
The summit in Nairobi marks a crucial step in the journey towards greater disability inclusion, setting the stage for international discussions and actions aimed at improving the lives of millions of PWD around the world.
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