KISUMU, 6th Oct 2026 – Neglect, stigmatization, self-reliance, inadequate funding and the need to hire more staff, especially Occupational Therapists, took centre stage as stakeholders marked World Cerebral Palsy Day at Joyland Special Junior School in Kisumu on Tuesday.
Under the theme Uniquely CP, speakers noted diverse challenges and gaps in addressing the neurological condition, most of which border on finances.
The learners, they emphasized, need a range of assorted assistive devices, facilities, materials and human resources, including better remuneration to boost teachers’ morale.
They also called upon Education Cabinet Secretary Ogamba Migos to focus more attention on addressing challenges bedevilling special needs institutions across the country.
Speaking to the media at the event, National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) County Officer George Odembo said their mandate is to ensure all PWDs live a normal life like any other person.
“As a council, our key mandate includes education through payment of school fees, provision of assistive devices among others, and it is always a big plus for us when other organizations join us towards this cause,” Odembo said.
Sam Owino, who represented the institution’s Principal, said they handle a wide range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, spina bifida and Down syndrome.
“CP is one of the neurological conditions some of our learners have to live with. We do our best by rehabilitating them such that when they leave here they become self-reliant and less dependent on others,” he said.
Owino emphasized that education is offered to learners capable of benefiting from mainstream education, and they proceed from regular PP1 up to the highest possible level – University.
“We also have a Stage-Based pathway or Special Needs education which aims at equipping them with varied vocational skills because life outside school isn’t designed to favour them,” he stated.
Kisumu County Government Health Department’s Disability Mainstreaming and Rehabilitation Officer George Omamo said their key role is to ensure learners are medically assessed and properly categorized in terms of disability.
“We are here to fully support and thank the organizers, Million Reasons to Smile. Taking care of a child with cerebral palsy needs a multidisciplinary approach for them to have a safe landing in terms of health,” he said.
Omamo reiterated Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o’s commitment towards taking care of Persons with Disability (PWDs) in line with the Disability Act 2024, noting the county has 21 physiotherapists, with the exception of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) which has 21 occupational therapists and 19 physiotherapists.
“A child with CP needs a multidisciplinary team consisting of an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist, nurse and psychological counsellor,” he added.
“We have created barrier-free pathways for PWDs to access health facilities with minimal resistance. Conformity is not a single day activity as most of them were built many years ago without required standards.”
According to Omamo, they are still undertaking assessment of all cerebral palsy cases before compiling and issuing the latest figures across the county.
Susan Auma, a teacher at the institution, decried challenges of handling learners, especially staffing.
Auma said they also need more assistive devices and IT support for those who aren’t able to write but can be guided using computers. She urged parents and guardians to stop hiding their children and instead bring them to school for learning exposure.
Full-time cerebral palsy caregivers led by Eunice Okong’o, who has a four-year-old daughter, said some of the main challenges they face are societal beliefs that the condition is caused by many things including family planning and witchcraft.
According to Eunice, the main cause of Cerebral Palsy is prolonged labour and she advised that adequate awareness creation is needed.
“As a result, we face high levels of neglect. Many people call us names and some even run away from us,” she said.
Eunice urged both tiers of government to lead sensitization programmes to address the existential gaps and uncertainty.
“Someone like me, I am still single because I was chased out of my marriage by my in-laws after giving birth. I was allegedly accused of bringing bad blood from my side’s lineage and not theirs. That’s how my marriage ended,” Eunice lamented.
Taking care of a child with cerebral palsy, she narrated, is a very expensive affair due to costs of diapers, medication and therapists.
“At times we can’t go for a therapy session because most of us caregivers are jobless and we can’t afford transport and even SHA. You are both the father and mother and balancing hustling and caregiving is a very tedious task.”
Omondi Oduor of Million Reasons to Smile Community Based Organization called for increased provision of psychosocial support for children and caregivers.
“We are appealing. The drugs are very expensive. If the government can give us these drugs in health facilities- because when you go there you are told they aren’t available. They cost more than Sh4,000, not even Sh50,” Eunice said.
