Human rights defender Reuben Kigame has asked parents with children living with disabilities to stop hiding them from the public.

Kigame, while addressing Musiknoni village residents in Essong’olo, Wemilabi ward, Luanda sub-county in Vihiga County on 11 December 2025, said it is wrong to hide people living with disabilities at home. He noted with concern that people living with disabilities suffer in silence due to stigma.

Kigame has challenged caretakers of children and adults living with disabilities to bring them out so they can receive necessary assistance from his foundation and the government.

Kigame said being born with disabilities does not mean one is not helpful in the family or community.

He said he wants children with disabilities to be taken to school to access education up to higher levels.

For adults living with disabilities, Kigame said he wants them trained in various fields like musical instrumentalists, farming and teaching, which they can do well and earn a living without begging.

“I am appealing to parents and caretakers of children and people living with disabilities to bring them out and not hide them.

“I want children with disabilities taken to school and adults trained in various professional fields. We will help them through my foundation, the Reuben Kigame Foundation, and also through county and national government support,” said Kigame.

Kigame said he is a living example, having been educated by his parents despite being blind.

He said that through education, he has been able to care for his parents.

“Being disabled does not mean one is not helpful to the family. My parents took me to school; I have pursued my education in various fields, including media studies.

“I am a teacher; I lecture in universities, and through my work I have been able to take care of my parents,” said Kigame.

Kigame also regretted the stigma people living with disabilities face in the country.

He said that as a person living with disability, he faced difficulties when he was in the presidential race in 2017. He decried that instead of being treated fairly because of his physical status, he was mistreated by the Kenyan electoral commission.

Kigame asked the government to ensure laws and policies are formulated to protect and favour people living with disabilities.

“People living with disabilities are facing stigma. We must create space, laws, policies and job opportunities and allocate finances in county and national budgets to cater for people living with disabilities,” urged Kigame.

Kigame also proposed that the government incorporate schools for people living with disabilities into public schools, similar to what universities have done.

He said this will ensure they feel at home, inclusive and comfortable.

“Let public schools accommodate people living with disabilities like the blind and deaf. This will make them comfortable and inclusive. Universities have done that,” urged Kigame.

Kigame donated wheelchairs to people living with disabilities in Luanda sub-county through his foundation.