Thousands of Kenyans living with hearing disabilities continue to face significant barriers when accessing basic services, despite existing constitutional and legislative protections. The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) recently highlighted these challenges on the International Day of Sign Languages, emphasizing the need for faster implementation of laws guaranteeing the rights of Deaf people. According to NGEC, Deaf Kenyans encounter difficulties when accessing hospitals, schools, courts, police stations, workplaces, and other institutions.
The International Day of Sign Languages, marked annually to promote the importance of sign languages in advancing human rights, had the theme "Declaring Deaf People's Human Rights." This theme emphasizes the recognition of Deaf people as rights-holders, duty bearers, and equal members of society. NGEC noted that Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) is crucial for ensuring Deaf people can communicate, obtain information, receive services, learn, and participate in social, economic, and political activities without facing discrimination.
The World Federation of the Deaf estimates that over 70 million Deaf people live globally, with more than 80 percent residing in developing countries. There are over 300 sign languages used by Deaf communities worldwide. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes sign languages as having equal status with spoken languages and promotes the protection of the linguistic identity of Deaf people.
According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, 153,361 people aged five years and above have a hearing disability. The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey also found that four percent of people aged five and above have some degree of hearing loss. NGEC Chairperson Rehema Jaldesa stated that the rights of Deaf people are protected under the Constitution, citing Article 7(3)(b), which promotes the development and use of Kenyan Sign Language.
Article 54(1)(d) of the Constitution gives every person with a disability the right to use Kenyan Sign Language, braille, or other appropriate means of communication. Jaldesa also mentioned that the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2025 has strengthened the legal framework by placing clearer obligations on institutions. The Act requires public and private institutions to accept and facilitate Kenyan Sign Language and other accessible forms of communication.
Despite these legal provisions, NGEC noted that the gap between laws and their implementation remains a significant challenge. Deaf people may be unable to exercise their rights when they encounter institutions without interpreters or when information and services are not provided in accessible formats. NGEC called for the deployment of more qualified Kenyan Sign Language interpreters in hospitals, courts, and public institutions.
NGEC also demanded improvements in education, healthcare, justice, employment, economic opportunities, and social protection for Deaf people. The Commission emphasized the need for greater investment in interpreter training, professional development, accreditation, and deployment to ensure adequate communication support across institutions. NGEC reiterated its commitment to working with all actors, including organizations of persons with disabilities and the Deaf community, to transform constitutional and legislative guarantees into lived equality for every Deaf person in Kenya.
Key points
- Thousands of Kenyans living with hearing disabilities face barriers when accessing basic services.
- Existing constitutional and legislative protections have not fully resolved the difficulties Deaf people face.
- NGEC demands faster action to implement laws guaranteeing the rights of Deaf people.
