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United Disabled Persons of Kenya

United Disabled Persons of Kenya logo

United Disabled Persons of Kenya is the national umbrella body representing organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Kenya.  

Our work focuses on championing and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life. This means promoting equal access to opportunities for people with disabilities and advocating for their full, active and meaningful participation in the mainstream development agenda on an equal basis with others, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). We centre our work around inclusion and our goal is to achieve a barrier-free society. 

We’ve been active as an organisation since 1989 and have in-depth knowledge, insights, and experience of working with OPDs in Kenya. We work with more than 80 member organisations across the country, building their capacity to monitor the rights of persons with disabilities and strengthening their role as institutions so they can meet their mandate to effectively represent and advocate for their rights at county and national levels. We also work to amplify their voices on disability issues.

We're involved in the consortium because…

A group of seventeen people from an organisation of people with disabilities smiling at the camera and sitting under a wooden structure. They are holding posters.

Empowering OPDs

“...strengthened grassroots OPDs are focal points for meaningful participation and engagement. They act as active change agents in the mainstream development agenda.”

Four women are stood around a blue bucket and wearing masks. One of the women is stirring a white liquid in the bucket.

Inclusion

“...we use inclusion to move persons with disabilities from the margins to the centre. Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind in all spheres of life. Inclusion is the cornerstone of all our engagements.”

Three men and one woman sitting around a table and writing on post-it notes as part of a workshop. There are UDPK banners in the background.

Experience and expertise

“...working at a grassroots level over many years, has given us a breadth of insights on the experiences of persons with disabilities. This unique set of interactions enriches our engagements as we change the disability landscape.”

Find out more about UDPK's work on disability inclusion

Visit UDPKenya.org

Our People

A photo of John smiling at the camera, wearing a baseball cap and a beige jacket, sitting in front of a laptop.

John Wambua: “I learnt from experience how society is skewed against people with disabilities”

John Wambua works in programme planning and communications at United Disabled Persons of Kenya.

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A head and shoulders photo of Easter Okech, wearing glasses with her hair in a ponytail.

Easter Achieng: “I’ve been working on women’s rights issues for half my life”

Easter Achieng is the executive director and programmes coordinator at Kenya Female Advisory Organization.

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A head and shoulders photograph of a woman with braided hair, smiling at the camera, and wearing a dark grey T-shirt

Essy Olang: “We need to ensure that the voices of women with and without disabilities are heard”

Essy Olang is a project officer for Kenya Female Advisory Organization working on the Global Labor Program – Inclusive Futures.

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What works to include people with disabilities?

Evidence and resources

Inclusive Futures are specialists and global leaders in disability and development from more than 20 global organisations.

Our partners