NAIROBI – Persons living with disabilities are calling for the draft Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Regulations to fully reflect their rights and experiences, urging lawmakers to align the final document with Kenya’s constitutional and legal framework on disability.
During a consultative forum held in Nairobi on Wednesday, disability advocate Prof. Lawrence Mute stressed the importance of consistency across legislation. He warned that failing to align the proposed regulations with the Persons with Disabilities Act could weaken legal protections.
“The new regulations must be carefully harmonized with the Disability Act and the PBO Act to prevent legal ambiguity and ensure coherent protection of disability rights,” Prof. Mute said.
The meeting was organized by the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA), CBM International Kenya, and the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya. It is part of a national series of forums that began on June 19 and are scheduled to end on July 25. Prior forums have been held in Garissa, Meru, Nyeri, Machakos, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
PBORA Director Dr. Laxmana Peter Kiptoo said the Authority is gathering input from all stakeholders and reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. “We have received valuable insights from participants today, and we are committed to ensuring that all organizations representing persons with disabilities are included in this process,” Dr. Kiptoo stated. He added that the Authority is working to ensure compliance with constitutional principles of inclusivity and equality.
CBM Kenya’s Country Director Davide Munyendo said the contributions from the forum would be formally submitted in a memorandum to PBORA. He emphasized the importance of accurately capturing every concern raised during the sessions. “Our intention is to ensure that the points raised here are not only heard but accurately represented,” Davide Munyendo said.
The ongoing consultations are intended to ensure that the final PBO Regulations meet the expectations of marginalized communities, especially persons with disabilities, who face systemic barriers in accessing social, economic, and political opportunities.
Stakeholders are expected to submit formal feedback by the end of the forum series, after which PBORA will finalize the regulations and forward them for approval.
As the country moves to strengthen the PBO framework, participants at the forum underscored the need for policies that prioritize fairness, legal clarity, and equal access to public benefit programs for all citizens.
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