For Kenyans living with disabilities, the promise of inclusion in President William Ruto’s administration seems increasingly hollow.
1,000 days into his term, advocates say people with disabilities (PWDs) remain glaringly absent from the highest levels of decision-making.
Speaking at a press briefing in Garissa town, North Eastern PWD chair and disability rights advocate Hafid Maalim voiced frustration over what he described as the administration’s continued neglect.
While he acknowledged some progress in promoting disability inclusion, he pointed out that no person with a disability currently holds a position as Cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary.
“We have been raising our voices, but our cries are falling on deaf ears,” Maalim said.
“It breaks my heart how this government continues to ignore us, especially when it comes to key appointments that shape the future of this country.”
Maalim noted that the recent transfer of Abdi Dubat, who had served as Principal Secretary for the East African Community, to Consul-General in Arusha has left PWDs without any top-level representation in the Cabinet.
He highlighted the appointments of Isaack Mwaura as Government Spokesperson and Harun Hassan as a Public Service Commissioner as positive, yet insufficient, steps.
“Despite the constitutional guarantees under Article 54 and Kenya’s Vision 2030, we are alarmed by the glaring absence of PWDs in senior government roles,” Maalim said.
“This exclusion undermines the principles of equality, participation, and equity that our Constitution upholds.”
He underscored the persistent challenges faced by PWDs in Kenya, from barriers in employment and education to healthcare and public participation.
“Having someone from our community in the Cabinet would ensure that our issues are championed from the top,” he argued.
Maalim emphasized that there are highly educated and experienced individuals within the PWD community who can contribute meaningfully to national leadership.
“We believe in the principle of ‘nothing about us without us,’ and it’s time the government lived up to this,” he said.
He urged President Ruto to ensure that future appointments, including in parastatals and state commissions, reflect the diversity of the nation.
Last month, the President signed the Persons with Disabilities Rights Bill, 2025, into law—a development Maalim hailed as a significant milestone.
“But passing the law is not enough,” he stressed.
“As stakeholders, advocates, and members of the disability community, we stand ready to support its implementation and build a more inclusive Kenya for all.”
by STEPHEN ASTARIKO
