Senator Cherargei pushes for stronger PWD inclusion
By Sharon Atieno, May 22, 2026Nominated Senator Harun Cherargei has called for stronger enforcement of disability inclusion laws in public institutions, saying Kenya must move from policy promises to measurable action in the employment of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking at the First Diversity and Inclusion Conference held at CITAM Valley Road on Friday, May 22, 2026, Cherargei said inclusion should be treated as a constitutional obligation rather than a voluntary commitment, warning that persistent gaps undermine equality and dignity in public service.
His remarks come against the backdrop of reports showing that only one out of 39 public institutions has met the constitutional requirement of reserving at least five per cent of jobs for PWDs.
Public service falls short on inclusion targets
A report by the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunity revealed that the average representation of PWDs in public institutions stands at just 2.1 per cent, far below the constitutional threshold.
“The average representation in each of the institutions sampled stands at 2.1 per cent underscoring the importance of further efforts to enhance inclusion and participation of PWDs across a broader spectrum of institutions and sectors,” the report states.
The findings further showed that only Lake Victoria Water Works Development Agency has met the five per cent requirement, while some institutions, including the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and Kenya Shipping Line, reported zero representation.
Call for urgent policy enforcement
Cherargei urged institutions to urgently review recruitment frameworks and eliminate barriers limiting access for PWDs, insisting that inclusion must be deliberate and enforced.
He said Kenya must ensure that constitutional provisions under Article 54 are fully implemented across all public bodies to guarantee fair representation.
“Additionally, the institutions that appeared before the committee submitted that they do not receive applications from Persons With Disabilities, hence their low representation,” the report notes.
Push for accountability and reform
The committee has recommended that all public institutions review their human resource policies within three months to enhance PWD representation through targeted recruitment and promotion.
Lawmakers argue that without ring-fenced opportunities and stronger monitoring mechanisms, the constitutional requirement risks remaining unmet despite existing legal frameworks.
Cherargei reiterated that inclusion is not charity but a right, calling for structured reforms to ensure PWDs are fully integrated into public service and national development.