Attendees of a disability outreach camp at Mulaani Primary School in Kalama, Machakos County. Photo Virginia Siebela 
By Virginia Siebela
Advocates and rights groups are raising serious concerns following a recent government directive slashing funding for learners with disabilities from KSh 22,000 to KSh 16,000 per child—a move they warn could cripple access to education for thousands of vulnerable children across the country.
Speaking during a disability outreach camp at Mulaani Primary School in Kalama, Machakos County, Thomas Etyang, a representative of the Agency for Disability in Africa (ADDA), criticized the move, saying it threatens to reverse years of progress.
“Learners with disabilities require dual funding due to their specialized needs. Reducing these allocations threatens the entire system. If this continues, many children may never access education in Kenya,” said Etyang.
He further urged the government to consolidate funding under the Ministry of Education, echoing a recent Senate proposal aimed at streamlining the distribution of resources to ensure efficiency and accountability.
Etyang also voiced concern over a rising number of disability cases in the region, many of which he attributed to preventable causes—including untreated snake bites, complications during childbirth due to lack of skilled assistance, and delayed cognitive development in children.
Julius Kisendi, the Special Needs Education Officer for Kalama Ward, painted a grim picture of the situation on the ground, noting that over 500 children have been screened this year alone. Yet, the region remains grossly underserved, with only one integrated unit providing special needs education—despite skyrocketing demand.
“The issue isn’t that parents don’t care,” Kisendi explained. “Most simply lack the knowledge or resources to properly support their children.”
Jackson Nzioki, who oversees integrated schools in Kalama, urged parents to stop hiding children with disabilities out of fear or shame. “These children deserve opportunities like any other. We must support families and build an inclusive community,” he said.
The disability outreach camp saw over 600 individuals screened—including 300 children and 300 adults. Officials from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), along with various partners, were present to register new cases and recommend medical and psychosocial support.
Stakeholders are now calling on the government to reconsider the funding cut, warning that failure to do so could deepen inequalities and set back national efforts toward inclusive education.
