Action Foundation Leads Effort to Transform Early Childhood Services for Children with Disabilities

Reporting by James Mutua 

The Action Foundation (TAF), in partnership with national and county governments, has launched a landmark initiative aimed at transforming how Kenya supports young children with disabilities. The Disability Inclusive Early Childhood Development (DIECD) Project, unveiled in Nairobi on Thursday, will run from 2025 to 2030 and is expected to reach more than 1.3 million children aged 0 to 8 years and their caregivers.

The six-year program will be implemented in seven counties: Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Murang'a, Siaya, Kilifi, and Samburu, with the goal of improving access to health, nutrition, education, and protection services for children with disabilities. The initiative also aims to empower caregivers, most of whom are women, through training and support to enhance their capacity to provide nurturing care and live with dignity.

“This is the stage where systems change begins to take shape in communities, classrooms, and health facilities,” said Maria Omare, Founder and Executive Director of The Action Foundation. “We are turning policies into programs and programs into opportunities for our children who have long been left behind.”

Omare emphasized that the DIECD initiative represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. She applauded the Ministry of Health for taking a leadership role in convening partners to make inclusion a core part of Kenya’s early childhood systems.

“Together we will ensure that the systems we are building respond to real needs, reach those farthest behind first, and drive sustainable change,” she said. “Every action we take brings us closer to a Kenya where no child is invisible, no caregiver is unsupported, and every life truly counts.”

The project’s key objectives include strengthening rehabilitation and health services, promoting play-based learning and nutrition, training teachers in inclusive education, and supporting counties to plan and budget for disability-inclusive services. By 2030, the program aims to see at least half of all children with disabilities enrolled in therapy programs and four out of five attending child wellness clinics.

Stephen Ikonya, Director of Programs at The Action Foundation, explained that the initiative was developed after recognizing persistent gaps in access to services.

“According to WHO, about 15 percent of the population are persons with disabilities,” Ikonya said. “This means over 1.3 million children under eight in Kenya are living with disabilities, yet most lack access to inclusive health, education, and social protection services.”

Ikonya added that the DIECD project will bring together multiple ministries, including Health, Education, Labor and Social Protection, Gender, and Children’s Services, to integrate disability inclusion into all early childhood development programs. He called on county governments to invest in rehabilitation facilities and ensure every Level 2 and Level 3 health center has occupational and physiotherapy services.

“It’s not enough to talk about inclusion at national hospitals,” he said. “Children in rural areas must also have access to nearby services. We must also reduce the burden on caregivers, who often travel long distances or pay out-of-pocket for essential support.”

Representing the Ministry of Health, Martha Mmasi, Chief Physiotherapist and Head of the Disability Mainstreaming Unit, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, which mandates inclusive services across all government departments.

“Mainstreaming is no longer optional, it’s mandatory,” Mmasi said. “We are developing national guidelines to ensure persons with disabilities, including children, can access comprehensive health coverage under the Social Health Authority.”

Mmasi added that the Ministry is working on consolidating disability data from various agencies to create a national “one-stop data shop” for planning and resource allocation.

“Accurate, disaggregated data will help us understand the distribution and needs of children with disabilities across counties,” she said. “This will enable better targeting of services and ensure no child is left behind.”

The launch marked the beginning of what stakeholders described as a historic collaboration between civil society, development partners, and government institutions. Co-Impact, a global philanthropy network, is providing funding support for the DIECD initiative.

Omare called on all partners to move beyond planning to practical action:

“We are starting with seven counties, but our goal is 47. From intention to impact, let today be the turning point where inclusion moves from conversation to concrete action.”

About The Action Foundation (TAF)

The Action Foundation is a Kenyan non-profit organization working to remove barriers that prevent children with disabilities and their families from achieving their full potential. Through programs in inclusive education, health, and social empowerment, TAF advocates for systems change that ensures every child can thrive.