Murang’a County has launched its fourth therapy Centre aimed at enhancing health care by improving services for children with disabilities.
The ultra-modern health facility designed to offer specialized care was launched at Maragua level four hospital during celebrations to mark world disability day.
Similar establishments have been launched in Kirwara, Muriranjas and Kigumo hospitals.
Speaking during the event, Murang’a Governor spouse Mary Kangata noted that the push for better and affordable therapy centres has been inspired by her own experience as a parent to a child with autism.
“At the age of three, my child could not talk, she had delayed speech and that is when my journey with therapy started, it is expensive and I understand too well what it takes to raise a child with disability” she said, adding
“But through therapy, my daughter being a beneficiary of KISE she can now follow instructions and ask for food and she’s even able to say some words and fight for her space, something that was impossible before therapy.”
The Director Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Norman Kiogora, called for greater inclusivity of children with disabilities urging families and communities to involve them in social activities and gatherings, such as birthday celebrations and weddings, among others.
He, however, raised alarm over the increased cases of autism in the country.
“There are high case of autism and as an institute we have put together a team of researchers and medics so that we can understand why the cases are rising with each passing day,” he said
CEO of Ability Therapy Kenya, Duncan Chengo emphasized the need to decentralise essential services, including education and therapy, to the grassroots.
“The disability act of 2025 recommends taking services to the grassroots level to reach the person at the lowest level.
He observed that early intervention is key to helping children with disabilities realise their full potential.
“Let us invest in early intervention because a child who has been intervened earlier in life has very high chances of thriving because as a clinician a child may come to you with very severe disabilities and at that time there is very limited that you can do”noted Chengo
East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament David Songok called on the national government to safeguard funding allocated to persons with disabilities while also urging disability representatives in parliament to continue advocating for their rights.
He commended parents who attended the event with their children, saying their efforts help reduce stigma and discrimination while exposing children to opportunities that enable them to thrive.
He, however, pointed out that discrimination remains prevalent in some areas.
“Let us handle people with disability with dignity: assistive devices go a long way in ensuring that we are not mishandled and I commend the organizations that are ensuring that PWDs live a normal life,” he said
One of the parents who attended the event was Josphine Thiong’o, whose child is with a disability.
She narrated how she realised that her child had a disability at the age of one and a half years.
“As a first-time mum, I was worried and lost as my boy was very chaotic; he would break items in the house as he crawled and at that point I knew all was not well and immediately started the therapy journey.”
“He uttered his first word at 4 years and now at 16 years he is doing well even at school and we are grateful for these organizations that have held our hands so far,” she said
Ms Thiong’o encouraged parents with children with disabilities not to give up but to come out and seek all the help they can for their children early in life, as chances of intervention are high.
The county government in partnership with stakeholders, also distributed assistive devices, including wheelchairs, white canes and crutches, to hundreds of residents with disabilities who had attended the event.
The event was also attended by governor Irungu Kangata amongst other stakeholders.
By Florence Kinyua
