KPC Board Chairperson Faith Boinett, in a speech delivered on her behalf by KPC Foundation Board of Trustees Director Irene Wachira, affirmed the corporation’s strong commitment to the initiative.
She emphasised that no child should be held back by either financial or physical barriers.
“Education remains a cornerstone for national progress, and we at KPC recognise the unique challenges students with disabilities face in accessing quality education that is why we have supported them through the Inuka Programme for the past eight years,” Boinett said.
She added that KPC is also committed to promoting inclusivity for persons with disabilities in employment, leadership, and business opportunities.
So far, KPC has invested Sh780 million in community development programmes, positively impacting over 56,000 lives across the country.
The KPC Foundation, a registered charitable trust, she stated, has completed 377 projects in various sectors.
It includes health, where 21 projects have been completed, benefiting 7,000 people, while in the water sector, some 113 projects have reached 35,600 individuals.
The company has also planted 480,000 trees, fenced 120 km of forest, and created jobs for 2,465 youths under its environmental initiatives.
Under empowerment and livelihoods, 85 projects have uplifted 11,000 youth and women.
In the education sector, KPC has completed 150 infrastructure projects and awarded 745 scholarships to children with disabilities.
Boinett noted that KPC annually dedicates 1.5 per cent of its profit before tax, which is equivalent to Sh150 million to community programmes.
“This success extends to the strong leadership and good governance from the board and management,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to existing partners, including the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the Kenya Red Cross, for their continued support.
Inuka was launched in 2017.
Cabinet Secretaries Julius Ogamba (Education), his Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, KPC managing director Joe Sang are among those who were present.
Others were nominated Senator Crystal Asige, officials from the NCPD, and KPC board members.
In his speech, Sang stated, This programme is not just about education but about dignity, empowerment, and breaking barrierrs."
Acknowledging the government's efforts such as recognising certain conditions in the disability medical assessment guideline, Asige noted that this is not enough.
She said programmes like the social health insurance fund and the emergency, chronic, and critical illness fund are step in the right direction but fall short of addressing the actual needs of people with invisible disabilities especially in schools, public institutions and rural areas.
"The government must move beyond promises and deliver actionable change for persons with disabilities," she said.
The senator stated that ‘My Kenya Sign Language, Bill’ has the potential to transform the education system and ensure the needs for those with disabilities are gathered for.
