Nairobi – In a landmark announcement, the Kenyan government has pledged to ensure that all public services offered online will be fully accessible to people with disabilities by 2027.
The promise, made during the opening of the Inclusive Africa Conference in Nairobi, marks a significant step toward bridging the digital divide that has long excluded millions.
“Digital accessibility is not a luxury; it is a right,” said William Kabogo, Cabinet Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy. “We’re not just going digital we’re going inclusive.”
Over 33,000 government services are currently available through the eCitizen platform. Until now, many have remained difficult or impossible to use for people who are blind, deaf, or living with mobility, cognitive or learning challenges.
The new commitment seeks to change that.
Kabogo said the government is working closely with tech firms, disability advocates, and civil society to embed accessibility into every digital product and service. A new national standard for digital accessibility, already in place, will guide this process.
The goal is ambitious. The government plans to equip at least 20 million Kenyans with digital literacy skills within two years explicitly including people with disabilities.
The announcement came on the first day of the Inclusive Africa Conference, now in its sixth year. Hosted by the non-profit inABLE, the event gathers experts, advocates, and policymakers from across the continent to examine how technology can serve everyone especially those often left behind.
Joseph Motari, Principal Secretary for Social Services, said the vision goes beyond websites and apps.
“We’re working to expand both physical and digital infrastructure,” he told attendees. “Every Kenyan deserves the chance to live an independent, productive and dignified life.”
Isaac Mwaura, the Government Spokesperson, echoed that message. He described Kenya as “a continental leader” in disability rights, pointing to constitutional protections and policies already in place.
His office is preparing to launch an Inclusive Communications Programme to ensure all government messages online or offline can be understood and accessed by everyone.
But while Kenya’s efforts have drawn praise, speakers also stressed how much work remains.
According to the Mastercard Foundation, only 3% of Africa’s 135 million people who need assistive technology like screen readers or hearing aids currently have access to it.
“This is not just a development challenge; it’s a matter of justice,” said Dina Randrianasolo, the Foundation’s Director of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation.
Irene Mbari-Kirika, Executive Director of inABLE, warned that progress won’t come from good intentions alone.
“Accessibility must be built in from the beginning,” she said. “You can’t bolt it on at the end. It’s not a one-time fix it’s a commitment for the life of the product.”
The three-day conference also includes sessions on education, employment, financial inclusion, and how emerging technologies especially artificial intelligence can either widen or close the accessibility gap.
At its heart, the event is about turning policy into practice.
A key outcome will be a roadmap for rolling out the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, which places digital inclusion at the centre of Kenya’s legal framework for equality.
For many, the challenge now is clear. So is the opportunity.
“Kenya has made a promise,” said Mbari-Kirika. “Now we need to make sure it becomes a reality.”
