Kenya to host first diversity and inclusion conference to address gaps facing PWDs

The two-day conference, scheduled for May 21–22 in Nairobi, is convened by , a charity that fabricates and distributes custom-made wheelchairs across the country and the region. It will bring together policymakers, faith leaders and stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss practical strategies for advancing social and economic inclusion.

Although Kenya has strengthened disability rights advocacy and policy frameworks in recent years, stakeholders say implementation remains uneven. Limited public awareness, poor accessibility, and entrenched stereotypes continue to hinder the full participation of PWDs in education, employment, leadership and public life.

Speaking during a media briefing at Hope Mobility founder Michael Panther said the forum seeks to move the national conversation from policy compliance to meaningful inclusion.

He called for stronger institutional frameworks and cross-sector collaboration to address stigma and structural barriers that marginalize PWDs. He also urged faith-based institutions to take a leading role in reshaping attitudes within communities.

Cabinet Secretary Mercy Wanjau, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized that legal reforms alone are insufficient without a broader cultural shift.

“We cannot legislate our way to full inclusion. Laws can require infrastructure and services, but dignity and respect depend on how society treats persons with disabilities,” she said, urging leaders and communities to translate dialogue into deliberate action.

Her remarks come in the wake of the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, which seeks to strengthen protections and expand opportunities for PWDs in Kenya’s economic and political spheres.

According to official estimates, about 918,000 Kenyans live with documented disabilities, though advocates say the actual number is likely higher. Globally, the estimates that 1.3 billion people live with significant disabilities.

Organizers say the conference aims to produce practical commitments from institutions and sectors, with a focus on accessibility, representation and reducing stigma,  positioning inclusion as a shared national responsibility rather than a government-only mandate.