- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna says key provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act remain unimplemented.
- He warns the delays are increasing financial pressure on families caring for people with severe disabilities.
- The senator wants clear timelines for tax relief, social assistance and assistive-device manufacturing incentives.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over the delayed implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, warning that the failure to operationalise key provisions is continuing to place a financial burden on families caring for people with severe disabilities.
Senator Sifuna raised the concerns at Parliament Buildings on Friday, September 11, 2026, while seeking a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on the status of measures required to give effect to the Act.
The senator said several critical provisions of the law, particularly those intended to provide financial relief and social protection to persons with disabilities and their caregivers, remained unimplemented despite being anchored in legislation.
He singled out Section 57 of the Act, which provides for income tax exemptions and long-term social assistance cash transfers for parents and guardians caring for persons with severe disabilities.
Sifuna said the delay in implementing the provisions was placing additional pressure on families already struggling with the high cost of caring for people with severe disabilities.
He noted that such families often incur significant expenses on daily care, medical needs and assistive devices, making the timely implementation of the law critical.
The senator also raised concerns over Section 58(2), which provides incentives for local manufacturers of assistive devices.
He said effective implementation of the provision would help improve access to assistive devices while supporting local production and reducing the financial burden on persons with disabilities and their families.
Committee asked to explain delays
Sifuna asked the committee to explain the reasons behind the delay in fully operationalising the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, including the status of regulations, guidelines and other administrative measures required to implement its provisions.
He further sought clear timelines for the full implementation of the Act, particularly provisions relating to tax exemptions, social assistance and incentives for manufacturers of assistive devices.
READ ALSO: Wavinya launches fourth Governor’s Cup with 650 teams, 13,000 participants
The senator said clarity on the implementation timelines would ensure that persons with disabilities, their parents, caregivers and guardians can access the benefits Parliament intended to provide through the law.
By Kithinji Njeru
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
