Senate Debate Sparks Concern Over Proposed Caregiver Stipend
Matters Disability Updated: 20 March 2026 10:18 EAT
Disability Mainstreaming Champion Jonathan Metet
Fresh concerns have emerged following deliberations in the Senate of Kenya over a proposal to allocate KSh2,000 monthly support to caregivers and parents of children living with disabilities.
The issue came to the fore during Senate proceedings on March 19, 2026, where lawmakers discussed a report linked to the 3rd Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Africa Region Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia.
Advocacy groups and stakeholders have since criticized the proposed amount, arguing that it falls significantly short of the actual cost of caring for children with disabilities across the country.
According to caregivers’ representatives, families often spend between KSh50,000 and KSh60,000 monthly on essential needs such as medication, diapers, therapy, and specialized nutrition, making the proposed stipend largely symbolic.
Jonathan Metet, the National Chairperson of the Network of Caregivers and Parents of Children with Disabilities Kenya (NCP-CDK), stated that the financial burden placed on families is substantial and continuous.
He noted that most caregivers are engaged full-time in providing care, leaving them with limited or no opportunity to pursue formal employment or stable income-generating activities.
Stakeholders further argue that caregivers remain largely excluded from policy formulation processes, resulting in interventions that do not adequately reflect the lived realities of affected families.
They are now calling for structured inclusion in decision-making, emphasizing that their direct experiences are critical in shaping practical and sustainable support systems.
The debate highlights broader concerns around social protection frameworks in Kenya, with pressure mounting on policymakers to review the proposal and adopt more comprehensive measures that address both financial and social needs of caregivers and children with disabilities.
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FELIX MAKONA
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