Only 15 of Kenya’s 41 surveyed counties, or 37.5 per cent, have introduced free or subsidised health insurance for persons with disabilities, according to a new report by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
The council warns that this limited coverage restricts access to affordable healthcare, leaving millions without the support needed to manage higher medical expenses.
The disability inclusion assessment, which examined 41 out of the country’s 47 counties, shows that while 34 counties (82.9 per cent) have taken steps to improve healthcare access for persons with disabilities, notable gaps remain.
Initiatives include enhancing physical access to health facilities, offering disability-specific medical support, and implementing inclusive health communication strategies.
Most counties (85.4 per cent) provide essential mobility and support devices, such as wheelchairs, white canes, hearing aids, and prosthetics. Among these, 91.4 per cent supply the devices free of charge, removing a significant financial barrier that has traditionally limited independent living and participation in society.
“These findings suggest that most county governments recognise the need to address disability-related healthcare access. However, the seven county governments without any reported interventions represent a significant gap,” the report states. It adds that this raises concerns about inequality in healthcare delivery and the need for national-level guidance to ensure all persons with disabilities can access care.
The report further indicates that nearly three-quarters of counties (73.2 per cent) offer rehabilitation services, with physiotherapy available in all counties providing such care. Additionally, 68.3 per cent of counties provide disability assessment services free of charge, enabling access to benefits and support programs.
Despite these efforts, only 15 counties provide free or subsidised health insurance for persons with disabilities, even though 23 counties have broader county-level health schemes.
“The absence of such schemes in nearly half the county governments limits access to affordable and inclusive healthcare, particularly for persons with disabilities who often face higher medical needs and costs,” the report notes.
Rehabilitation services also remain uneven. Just 43.3 per cent of counties offer speech-language and audiology therapy, and only 13 counties provide the full range of rehabilitation care, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mental health support, orthopaedic technology, and speech therapy.
Geographic disparities further limit access, with specialised services concentrated in urban areas and community-based rehabilitation programs operating in only a few counties.
Among counties offering free disability assessments, only 53.6 per cent have formal legal backing, leaving these services vulnerable to budget cuts or policy changes.
While 68.3 per cent of counties have mechanisms to waive healthcare costs for vulnerable populations, the report highlights inconsistent implementation.
Kenya has made notable strides in disability inclusion, but for many, daily life still reflects exclusion.
The national census shows about 2.2 per cent of Kenyans aged five and above—roughly 900,000 people—live with some form of disability, with women disproportionately affected.
Mobility and visual impairments are the most common, and household surveys suggest up to 15 per cent of Kenyans report at least one functional difficulty, exposing weaknesses in disability data systems.
Economic exclusion compounds these challenges. Persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and have limited access to steady employment. Despite legal requirements for inclusive hiring, they constitute only 1.3 per cent of the public sector workforce.
Without stable income, households face added financial strain from assistive devices, transport, and ongoing care, while social stigma and misinformation persist in homes, schools, workplaces, and public institutions.
“This assessment gives us a clear baseline. We can now see where counties are succeeding and where urgent action is needed. The next step is to move from assessment to action—to ensure every county is equipped and committed to serving all its citizens, including those with disabilities,” Labour CS Alfred Mutua said in the report’s foreword.
