Healthcare professionals are calling for immediate intervention from communities, the public sector, and corporations to bridge a widening support gap for children with disabilities, even as disability diagnoses increase nationwide, while warning that current resources fall short of meeting the growing demand.
The appeal came from a workshop conducted by Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital in partnership with Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC, where healthcare professionals equipped parents and caregivers with essential skills to nurture independence and socialisation of children with special needs. The workshop also reinforced the importance of inclusive community support in supporting the development of children with disabilities.
The session is part of initiatives organised in collaboration with the Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation, Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC, and the Sanlam Foundation, enabled by Allianz Group Social Impact Fund. The workshop is part of a broader empowerment initiative launched in September 2024, which is a three-year partnership aimed at enhancing the employability, social inclusion, and functional abilities of children living with disabilities. In February 2025, 113 children benefited from a sports and arts day under the theme, “Celebrating Abilities, Together We Shine,” which included occupational therapy aimed at enhancing their social and cognitive skills.
Speaking during the workshop, Dr Robert Nyarango, Chief Executive Officer at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, noted the importance of improving the capacity of parents and caregivers to create a conducive environment for children with disabilities to thrive.
“Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in the social development of children. In addition to the challenges children with disabilities face, they also need to have the skills to interact and integrate into their communities. As part of a larger program, the training will help improve the children’s communication skills, enhance their functional abilities, and increase their social inclusion,” said Dr Nyarango.
The workshop covered evidence-based techniques for supporting children’s development, including communication strategies, behavioural management approaches, and advocacy skills to help families navigate education and healthcare systems.
On their part, Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC Group CEO, Dr. Nyamemba Patrick Tumbo, highlighted the importance of the collaboration in preparing citizens to contribute to their communities.
“Through this initiative, we not only prepare the children to fit better into society but also help their communities understand their challenges and support their integration. Upskilling the parents and caregivers gives us a chance to deepen the impact by creating more knowledgeable advocates for children with disabilities. They are then more likely to create spaces for the children to thrive and build their communities,” said Jacqueline Karasha the CEO of Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance (Kenya) Limited.
In Kenya, persons with disabilities (PWDs) face significant barriers to accessing education, social inclusion, and access to formal employment. In 2018, the Government of Kenya made significant commitments to tackling stigma and discrimination, improving inclusion and education, and improving routes to economic empowerment.
While data on the prevalence of disabilities in children is not widely available, the statistics from the 2019 Census indicate that 2.2% of Kenyans live with disability, with mobility as the most prevalent form of disability, followed by seeing, cognition, hearing, and self-care challenges. Poverty rates are also higher among vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, an issue that is compounded by inadequate access to social protection.
The collaborative initiative between Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation and Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC prioritizes social skills training for at least 100 children, access to sports and arts activities for at least 300 children, and occupational therapy for at least 50 children.
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