The Bill was co-sponsored by Senator Crystal Asige and the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah.
It was passed by the Senate on February 1, 2025, and
subsequently approved by the National Assembly on March 16, 2025.
The new law establishes an institutional framework for protecting, promoting, and monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities, while also providing various incentives and reliefs.
These include tax reliefs for employees with disabilities
and tax exemptions on materials and equipment imported for use by persons with
disabilities.
Previously, persons with disabilities had protested the lack of clear guidelines for accessing various government reliefs.
Additionally, the legislation introduces tax incentives for donations, bequests, and subsidies made for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
Employers who incur expenses to make reasonable
accommodations in their premises for employees with disabilities will also
qualify for tax exemptions.
The Bill repeals the Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 14 of 2003, replacing it with a law that aligns with the current Constitution.
It places strong emphasis on a human rights-based approach
to realising the rights of persons with disabilities in Kenya, highlighting
society's shared responsibility to protect and promote their inclusion and
well-being.
On April 1, Senator Asige expressed her excitement after Parliament successfully passed her brainchild Bill, which seeks to address various challenges faced by persons living with disabilities.
The Senator said she was looking forward to the day President Ruto would assent to the Bill.
“On April 3, 2025, my disability bill passed through all stages in Parliament. I am very happy, I am so excited — congratulations to all of us,” she said in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Tupatane State House for its assent into law.”
President Ruto assented to the Bill at State House, Nairobi, in a ceremony also attended by leaders representing persons living with disabilities.
