The government is set to provide Sh3.12 billion each year to support caregivers of people with severe disabilities, offering a monthly allowance of Sh2,000 under a new framework designed to strengthen disability support.
According to the Ministry of Labour, the move aims to complement existing cash transfers for persons with disabilities and formally acknowledge caregivers for the essential role they play in the wellbeing of vulnerable Kenyans.
The plan will initially benefit 130,000 caregivers over the next three years, with both caregivers and persons with disabilities receiving Sh2,000 every month. Over five years, the programme seeks to expand to reach 500,000 persons with disabilities, with annual costs rising to Sh12 billion when fully implemented.
Between 2016 and 2020, the Cash Transfer for Persons with Severe Disabilities programme assisted between 47,200 and 51,890 households. The new proposal introduces a caregiver allowance in line with the Persons with Disabilities Act.
“A caregiver allowance to recognise the efforts of 130,000 caregivers of persons with severe disabilities and high support needs within the next 3 years, with a full annual cost of Sh3.12 billion from year three onwards,” the report says.
The strategy also recommends a more personalised disability allowance targeting 500,000 beneficiaries within five years. “An expanded and individualised disability allowance targeted to 500,000 beneficiaries within 5 years with the full annual cost of Sh12 billion realised from the fifth year onward,” the report adds.
The initiative plans to deliver care closer to communities through 5,800 circles of care and support at a yearly cost of Sh928 million. Respite and rehabilitation centres will increase from 12 to 47 nationwide, costing Sh597 million each year to operate.
Assistive devices, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and prosthetics, will be covered under Taifa Care, with insurance costs estimated at Sh700 million annually. The programme seeks to transition disability support from a charity-driven system to a state-funded service.
The phased plan also includes accessible transport for 36,209 learners with disabilities, costing Sh2.2 billion, and medical support for 91,669 persons with disabilities at Sh110 million yearly.
“Overall, the proposed disability inclusion strategy will expand coverage and guarantee participation of persons with disabilities in the community by nearly doubling the disability inclusion costs from Sh10.42 billion in year 1 to Sh19.74 billion,” the report says.
The document notes that disability inclusion spending will rise from 0.06 per cent of GDP to 0.11 per cent, in line with Kenya’s commitments at the 2025 Global Disability Summit.
“This expansion will also position Kenya at the bottom of the good-performing countries, such as Egypt, Zambia and South Africa,” the report adds.
