Healthcare professionals at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital are issuing an urgent call for increased community, public, and corporate support to address a critical and widening gap in services for children with disabilities. This appeal comes amid a reported nationwide increase in disability diagnoses, straining existing resources that are already falling short of growing demand.
In a move to bridge this gap, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, in partnership with SanlamAllianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC, recently hosted a vital workshop. The session successfully equipped parents and caregivers with essential, evidence-based skills to foster independence, enhance socialisation, and improve the functional abilities of children with special needs.
The workshop is the latest milestone in a three-year strategic partnership launched in September 2024 between the Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation, Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC, and the Sanlam Foundation (enabled by the Allianz Group Social Impact Fund). This initiative aims to enhance the employability, social inclusion, and functional abilities of children living with disabilities.
- Program Impact: In February 2025, 113 children benefited from a “Celebrating Abilities, Together We Shine” sports and arts day, which included specialised occupational therapy to boost their social and cognitive skills.
- Workshop Focus: The recent session provided practical training in crucial areas, including communication strategies, behavioural management approaches, and advocacy skills to help families navigate the complex education and healthcare systems.
Dr. Robert Nyarango, Chief Executive Officer at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, highlighted the necessity of empowering those closest to the children.
“Parents and caregivers are crucial in the social development of children. This training improves their capacity to create a conducive environment for these children to thrive, enhancing their communication skills, functional abilities, and overall social inclusion as part of a larger program,” said Dr. Nyarango.
Jacqueline Karasha, CEO of Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance (Kenya) Limited, underscored the collaborative importance of the initiative in preparing citizens for a better future.
“Upskilling the parents and caregivers gives us a chance to deepen the impact by creating more knowledgeable advocates for children with disabilities. They are then more likely to create spaces for the children to thrive and build their communities,” she stated.
Despite significant government commitments in 2018 to tackle stigma and improve inclusion, persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya still face substantial barriers to accessing education, social services, and formal employment.
- Prevalence: The 2019 Census indicates that 2.2% of Kenyans live with a disability, with mobility, sight, and cognition being the most prevalent forms.
- Vulnerability: Poverty rates are disproportionately higher among PWDs, exacerbated by inadequate access to social protection.
The joint initiative by Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation and Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC is directly targeting these challenges, prioritizing:
| Activity | Target Number of Children |
| Social Skills Training | At least 100 |
| Sports and Arts Activities | At least 300 |
| Occupational Therapy | At least 50 |