In Kenya, disability services, benefits, and grants are provided by the government through the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and non-governmental organizations. To benefit from these services, all persons with disability need to first register with the NCPWD and receive their identification card. This identification document is also known as a Disability Card.
It is through proper registration that individuals with disability are documented and recognized by the government and hence enabling their access to specialized assistance.
What one needs acquire a Disability Card for in Kenya
- A Medical Assessment Report from Government Gazetted Hospitals. This is meant to ascertain and provide details of the nature of the disability. The list of these hospitals can be found here. You will be charged at least Ksh500 for this assessment. You can also find out at your local hospital if they have a free assessment day.
- A passport-sized photo.
- Copy of National ID or a Passport
- For persons with dual citizenship, you will need proof of lawful residence in Kenya.
- A dully filled Individual Registration Form which you can download by clicking here. Medical staff at the hospital you visit for assessment can help you fill this form.
Once you have submitted all the above details, the NCPWD will contact you about the status of your application. Only Kenyan nationals are eligible for registration.
What are the benefits of registering with NCPWD?
Once you register with the NCPWD and you have acquired a disability card, an individual can benefit in the following ways:
- Access to assistive devices; you can apply to be issued with enabling devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, calipers, surgical boots and prosthetic arms or legs. These are provided by NCPWD and its partners.
- Economic empowerment: you can benefit from grants that help Persons with Disabilities gain self-sufficiency through income-generating activities such as agriculture, rearing livestock, bead making, shopkeeping etc.
- Education assistance: an individual or a guardian can easily apply for education support for fees that is available for persons with disabilities from Primary, Secondary, Colleges, Vocational Training Schools and University. NCPWD makes payments directly to the institution and does give these funds to the beneficiary.
- Cash transfers: NCPWD oversees the Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer (PWSD-CT). This is meant to improve the livelihoods of persons with severe disabilities by providing cash assistance to support their caregivers.
- Albinism support and sunscreen provision In Kenya, all persons with albinism registered by the NCPWD are provided with a bottle of sunscreen lotion every month. There are 180 hospitals and health clinics that are used as distribution centers across the country.
- Tax exemption certificate: Registering with the NCPWD helps one obtain verification for exemption from paying taxes in Kenya. Under Kenyan laws, Persons living with disabilities are granted a tax exemption on their monthly or annual income. This exemption applies to the first Ksh150, 000 per month or for the first Ksh1.8 million per year.
Do you have any questions on the registration of individuals disability in Kenya? Please write to us via the Julisha.Info Facebook page, Monday to Friday from 08:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.