Epilepsy Patients Urged to Register for Disability Benefits in Nairobi

 By James Mutua 

Michael Mwangi (center), an occupational therapist from Mama Lucy Hospital, with Jane Wamugu (right) of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and Nicholas Otieno (left) during a media interview in Nairobi.

Nairobi residents living with epilepsy and other neurological conditions are receiving a boost through a joint disability registration and medical assessment exercise spearheaded by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in partnership with the Kenya Association for the Welfare of People with Epilepsy (KAWE) and Nairobi County health officials.

Speaking during the exercise in Kariobangi, Jane Wamugu, the Nairobi County regional coordinator for NCPWD, emphasized that epilepsy has long been recognized as a disability, contrary to misconceptions. “Epilepsy has been diagnosed as a disability since the inception of the council. The challenge is that awareness among the public remains low, and that is why we are here today, targeting mostly persons with epilepsy,” she said.

The NCPWD is currently funding medication, therapy, and assistive devices for persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including epilepsy, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. Beneficiaries must, however, be registered through the government’s e-Citizen platform to access these services. Wamugu noted that mass sensitization campaigns, supported by sub-chiefs and community health promoters, are helping reach families at the grassroots who had previously hidden relatives with disabilities due to stigma.

Nicholas Otieno, a clinician with the Kenya Association for the Health of People with Epilepsy, highlighted how myths and misconceptions continue to hinder treatment. “Some people still believe epilepsy is caused by witchcraft, curses, or demons. These beliefs prevent patients from seeking medical help. Our role is to educate communities that epilepsy is a medical condition that can be managed with proper treatment and follow-up,” he explained. He added that advocacy efforts are also focused on ensuring county health budgets allocate resources for epilepsy and related neurological conditions at the primary health care level.

So far, over 160 people have been registered and medically assessed in the two-day drive, with similar exercises planned across other Nairobi constituencies. Otieno said they expect between 300 and 400 registrations by the end of the week, with support from organizations such as Shine Epilepsy, Youth on the Move, and the Kiserem Foundation, working under the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

Michael Mwangi, an occupational therapist coordinating assessments at Mama Lucy Hospital and across Nairobi, confirmed that county health staff were deployed to support the exercise. “Today’s activity is mainly about registration so that persons with epilepsy can benefit from access to medicine and function normally as long as they take their medication,” he said. He noted that such camps are continuous, with the next one scheduled in Kamukunji later this week.

Registered persons with disabilities enjoy a wide range of benefits, including free medication, therapies, diapers, tax exemptions, scholarships, duty-free vehicles, and assistive devices such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. The recently assented Persons with Disabilities Act No. 4 of 2025 also recognizes caregivers, with ongoing work to provide tax relief and financial empowerment for those supporting children and adults who require round-the-clock care.

Organizers expressed optimism that increased awareness and registration will ensure no one is left behind in accessing government support. “We have seen an upsurge of families coming forward with relatives who were previously hidden. This shows that the message is getting to the grassroots and that stigma is gradually reducing,” Wamugu said.