The Office, on 4th June 2025, in Nairobi, sensitized leaders of PWDs party leagues drawn from over 47 registered political parties. The engagement aimed to assess the milestones achieved in advancing disability inclusion within political parties, identify existing gaps, and chart pathways for enhanced participation and representation of PWDs in Kenya’s political landscape.
Speaking during the forum, Registrar Ann Nderitu, CBS, emphasized the indispensable role of inclusive political processes, stating, “The political and electoral processes cannot be complete without the inclusion of all demographics, including Persons with Disabilities. You must enhance your collective efforts to advocate for and protect the rights and spaces of PWDs within political parties and the broader society.”
One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the formation of a PWDs Caucus, comprising representatives from political parties with the guidance and support of ORPP. The caucus will serve as a structured platform for advocacy, engagement, and coordination of initiatives aimed at promoting meaningful inclusion. A select committee was also constituted to steer the caucus’s agenda, with a focus on enhanced funding mechanisms, awareness campaigns, capacity building and inter-party collaboration to support PWDs’ active political participation.
Assistant Registrar, Ali Abdullahi, hailed the initiative as a progressive step toward inclusive governance. He reaffirmed ORPP’s commitment to supporting PWDs through policy formulation, legal reforms, and structured sensitization programmes. “Political parties must integrate inclusive strategies that go beyond tokenism to truly uphold the rights of PWDs,” he noted.
During the interactive sessions, participants called for stronger mechanisms to ensure PWD self-representation within party structures, stressing that lived experiences must shape policy and decision-making. Many underscored the need for leadership opportunities that allow PWDs to champion their own issues from within political frameworks.
Compliance department’s Deputy Director, Political Parties Capacity Building, Anastacia Kaberere, leading the programme, urged participants to reflect on their roles and contributions within their respective parties. “You need to interrogate your roles as PWDs in political parties and actively involve yourselves in party leadership and decision-making processes,” she challenged.