Naema Celestine 
| Benmike Wekesa |
A near nondescript road leads to the homestead of Margaret Salan in Enco Village, Kaj County. Salan is the sole caretaker of her 20-year-old son, who is living with a disability.
She describes the challenges she faces in caring for her child in an environment that remains unwelcoming to those like him.
She has not been able to send him to school due to difficulties related to his condition, including lack of physical access to schools and financial constraints. She asserts that she is doing her best with the circumstances life has given her.
Margaret and her son are not alone in facing hurdles in accessing education for children with disabilities. Education and special needs officers from the county acknowledge that this issue is both real and growing. They express concern that without education, individuals with disabilities risk being excluded from society.
Despite these seemingly insurmountable challenges, some families have managed to overcome barriers and ensure their children receive an education. For instance, Steven Mingi, now a high school student in Machakos County, had a long and difficult journey to find a school that could accommodate his needs. Even after scoring high marks in his KCPE exams, he struggled until his current school made special adjustments, such as a custom desk, to support him.
Education stakeholders are calling for more schools to become accessible and accommodating for children with disabilities, to provide them with opportunities for education and a better life. This call was emphasized as the country joined in marking the Day of the African Child, themed “Education for All Children,” urging all African governments to ensure this goal is achieved.
