The Senate has invited Kenyans to submit memoranda on the Autism Management Bill, 2025, a proposed law seeking an integrated national framework for screening, diagnosis, management, and support for persons with autism.
The Standing Committee on Health is mandated to incorporate public views before reporting to the Senate, with submissions due by Monday, December 22, 2025.
In a notice issued on Wednesday by the Clerk of the Senate, J.M. Nyegenye, the House reaffirmed its obligation to hear from the public before the Bill progresses.
The Committee is required to facilitate public participation on the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public when the Committee makes its report to the Senate.
According to the Bill, its principal aim is “to provide for an integrated and coordinated approach on the management of autism.”
The proposed law outlines a wide-ranging framework that would govern how Kenya detects, manages and supports persons with autism across national and county structures.
It defines autism as “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” and positions the Cabinet Secretary for Health as the lead authority.
The Bill outlines eight core objectives, including “a framework for integrated approach towards the early screening, diagnosis, management and support of persons with autism”, “access to quality and affordable diagnostic and management services”, the creation of “a national information management system for autism”, and “continuous training for medical practitioners and caregivers in relation to autism.”
It also seeks to “promote public awareness about the causes, management and means of prevention of autism” and ensure sufficient funding for autism programmes.
A major structural change proposed in the law is the creation of national and county autism units.
The Bill requires the Cabinet Secretary and county executives to establish an autism unit within the ministry of health or the relevant county department and ensure that every diagnostic centre is staffed with trained professionals and appropriate diagnostic tools.
These units will coordinate programmes, collect data and run awareness campaigns.
The national government’s responsibilities include establishing national standards and policies, formulating a National Autism Strategy, and constructing diagnostic centres in referral hospitals.
It will also undertake capacity building for various stakeholders, promote public awareness, and develop a framework to increase accessibility of affordable medical services for persons with autism.
County governments, on their part, will be required to establish diagnostic centres in level 4 and 5 hospitals, run caregiver support groups, and maintain county databases.
Each county executive member must also allocate a portion of the health budget to screening programs, diagnostic infrastructure, training of professionals and caregivers, and public awareness campaigns.
Education and training are central to the Bill. It mandates national and county governments to conduct continuous awareness campaigns in communities and schools.
It also requires the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to ensure that autism awareness is integrated in both pre-service and in-service training.
Persons with autism will continue to enjoy all protections under the existing disability laws, with the Bill affirming that they shall enjoy all the rights, protection and privileges as provided for under the Persons Living with Disability Act.
The Senate has urged members of the public to submit memoranda by Monday, December 22, 2025 at 5.00 p.m.
Submissions may be delivered to the Clerk of the Senate or emailed to the addresses provided in the notice.
