President William Ruto has assented to the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2025.

The Head of State appended his signature to the bill on Thursday, May 8, 2025, and said the new law is not only progressive but also affirms the dignity of the disabled.

“It has been my singular honour and duty this morning to sign into law the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2025, a progressive piece of legislation that reaffirms the dignity and rights of all persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya.

“This community constitutes a significant segment of our population. According to the 2019 National Housing and Population Census, the number of individuals with disabilities above the age of five stood at just under one million, about 2% of our total population, while globally, it is estimated that they represent 15% of the world’s population.

“Although this group forms a critical part of every nation’s demographic, they continue to face systemic barriers, including challenges in accessing education, healthcare, employment, and basic social services. Some of these hurdles are rooted in structural, social, political, and cultural systems. Others stem from institutional and attitudinal barriers that lead to exclusion and unequal access to opportunities,” Ruto noted.

Repealing 2003 Act

Ruto said assenting to the bill concludes the long journey of repealing the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003 and marks the beginning of a vital progression towards promoting and safeguarding the rights of citizens with disabilities.

“This law is both comprehensive in scope and progressive in vision. It affirms the rights of persons with disabilities to education, employment, healthcare, political participation, and access to buildings and built environments.

“It also mandates stronger enforcement mechanisms, clearer accountability, and enhanced representation of persons with disabilities in both national and county governance structures,” he added.

The National Council for Persons with Disability, devolution of functions related to persons with disabilities, recognition and support for caregivers, greater access to justice and enhanced legal frameworks in respect of PWDs, and robust economic safeguards are the highlights of the bill.

“I assure you that the government is fully committed to translating the provisions of this law into tangible improvements in the lives and welfare of persons with disabilities. As part of our efforts to strengthen disability inclusion in the public sector, I direct the Public Service Performance Management Unit at the Public Service Commission to reinstate the Disability Mainstreaming Performance Indicator in performance contracts,” Ruto ordered.