The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has urged persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kajiado County to familiarize themselves with the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, to enable them to understand, claim, and defend their rights.
The Council said knowledge of the new law was particularly important as stakeholders prepare to participate in the development of regulations that will guide its implementation.
The Act, which was signed into law by President William Ruto on May 8, 2025, replaced the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003.
Speaking during a sensitization forum in Kajiado Town, NCPWD Head of Legal Office Cynthia Monyenye urged PWDs, caregivers, parents, and guardians to understand the provisions of the new law and advocate for their rights from an informed position.
Monyenye said the law provides for various rights and benefits, including tax reliefs and exemptions for persons with disabilities who are employed, operate businesses, or are involved in organizations serving PWDs.
She said the Council was engaging the Ministry of Finance on the possibility of raising the tax exemption threshold, which she said had for a long time stood at Sh150,000.
Monyenye also encouraged members of the public, including duty bearers and service providers, to familiarize themselves with the Act, noting that it was available through the Council’s website and mobile application.
NCPWD Programmes Officer Alex Munyere, meanwhile, called on private companies operating in Kajiado County to comply with the law and respect the rights of persons with disabilities.
“The element of other companies that are operating within Kajiado County, they may be private but should work within the law. We hear of a company that has violated rights for persons with disabilities and call upon them to operate within the law so that we can have a good working relationship,” said Munyere.
The Council also challenged Kajiado County’s Disability Mainstreaming Unit to strengthen its role in reporting, planning, and allocating resources for programmes targeting persons with disabilities.
It called on the county government to develop plans that align with those of NCPWD and work closely with the Council to ensure the rights of PWDs are incorporated into county programmes and budgets.
NCPWD Kajiado County Coordinator Iman Ali Omar said the Council was looking forward to participating in the development of regulations that will facilitate implementation of the new law.
“We look forward to participating in the regulations of the Persons with Disability Act and eventually the implementation of the Act so that we can champion for the rights of the PWDs in Kajiado County and develop Kenya as a whole,” said Omar.
She said continued engagement with PWDs and organizations working with them would be crucial in ensuring that the provisions of the Act translate into tangible benefits.
Agneta Awino Owino, a student and person with a disability who attended the forum, welcomed the sensitization exercise, saying it had helped her learn about the new law and the rights it provides.
She urged other persons with disabilities to attend similar forums, to gain knowledge and raise issues affecting them.
Wycliffe Omondi, a member of Let’s Support Persons with Disability, also commended NCPWD for taking the sensitization exercise to the grassroots, saying the forum had enabled participants to better understand the Act.
The forum brought together representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, including Let’s Support Persons with Disability and New Life Mission for Children, as well as non-governmental organizations and government agencies.
By Joyline Arodi
