Kenya - May 2025

On 8 May, Kenya enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 to address long-standing gaps in inclusion and accessibility. The new law expands the definition of disability, mandates five per cent public sector employment for people with disabilities, and introduces strict penalties for discrimination, forced sterilization, and exploitation. It guarantees access to healthcare, education, and public services, with tax exemptions for caregivers and permanent registration for people with long-term disabilities. The Act also strengthens the powers of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and aligns Kenya’s framework with the Constitution—particularly Articles 2(6), 27, 54 and 260—and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Civil society and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights welcomed the legislation but stressed the need for swift implementation and public education to realize its potential.

Sources: Persons with Disabilities Act - Act No. 4 of 2025, The Conversation, Daily Nation, The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, National Council for Persons with Disabilities, The Constitution of Kenya