For a long time, a cloud of misconception has hung over students living with disabilities, with many viewing them as individuals of limited ability.
However, a powerful shift is occurring. Emerging success stories are shattering these outdated perceptions, revealing a generation that is not only thriving but also generating significant wealth, earning substantial incomes, and acquiring valuable assets through their unique talents—often surpassing their counterparts without disabilities.
According to Kendrick Namal, the Secretary General of the Kenya Society for the Visually Impaired (KESAVI), the narrative of dependency is being replaced by one of financial independence.
Speaking during a vibrant sports day event at the Thika School for the Visually Impaired, Namal revealed that some visually impaired students have already achieved milestones many adults struggle with: purchasing land, paying their own tuition, and providing consistent financial support to their families.
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“With the right opportunities and support, persons with disabilities can achieve remarkable success, become self-reliant, and bring pride to their nation,” Namal emphasized.
KESAVI’s vision is ambitious. The organization aims to traverse all 47 counties to identify and nurture talent from an early age. The goal is to ensure that individuals with various disabilities are battle-ready for both local and international arenas.
“Our goal is to build a strong foundation of well-trained athletes who are always ready to represent the country with pride on any stage, including global competitions,” Namal added.
This sentiment was echoed by Grace Kiarie, the Principal of Thika School for the Visually Impaired. She pointed out that the excellence of her students isn’t limited to the field; they are also academic powerhouses. The school, which hosts 435 students with varying degrees of visual impairment, frequently sees its learners outperform peers in mainstream schools across the county.
“Discrimination is fundamentally wrong because everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, regardless of whether they have a disability or not,” Kiarie stated. She issued a stern call to action for parents who still “hide” children with disabilities due to stigma, urging them to enroll their children in school to unlock both their academic and financial potential.
The impact of specialized training is already yielding international dividends. Samson Waweru, Treasurer of the Kenya Society for the Blind, highlighted that Kenyan athletes with disabilities have already flown the national flag high in countries such as Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Brazil.
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These competitors aren’t just bringing home gold and silver medals; they are returning with significant financial rewards from international circuits.
The momentum isn’t slowing down. Preparations are currently underway for an upcoming international competition in Egypt, scheduled for April 11. Waweru expressed confidence that the team would return victorious.
Despite the triumphs, significant barriers remain. Waweru noted that while talent is plenty, equipment is scarce. Many schools lack the specialized (and often expensive) tools required for professional training, such as powerlifting machines, goalball pitches and showdown tables.
He appealed to the government and private well-wishers to step in and equip all 47 counties with adequate training facilities to level the playing field.
The stars of the day, however, were the students themselves. Led by Phanice Nduta and Eugene Nasser, the young athletes expressed deep gratitude for the platform that allowed them to discover hidden capabilities.
“We are equal,” Nasser asserted, calling out those who still practice discrimination. “We have the ability to achieve remarkable success.”
The event featured a wide array of disciplines, with both boys and girls competing in discus, athletics, javelin, and shot put. The day concluded with a flurry of gold, silver, and bronze medals, while top performers walked away with trophies symbols of a future where talent, not disability, defines a person’s worth.
As the sun set on the Thika School for the Visually Impaired, the message was clear: with institutional support and a shift in societal mindset, learners with disabilities are not just participating in the economy they are leading it.
By Felix Wanderi
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Kendrick Namal, Secretary General of the Kenya Society for the Visually Impaired (KESAVI)
