We work with governments, businesses and local organisations in Kenya to deliver vital charity work to prevent avoidable blindness and uphold the rights of people with disabilities.
Sightsavers in Kenya
Kenya boasts the largest and fastest-growing economy in East and Central Africa.
It has a strong agricultural sector, and emerging services and tourism industries. Yet many people in Kenya struggle to access vital health treatment.
To tackle this, in 2018 the government began piloting universal health coverage, aiming to provide free health care.
There have been several steps to improve disability rights in the country. In 2007, Kenya became one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The government’s National Council for Persons with Disabilities aims to protect and promote human rights for people with disabilities in Kenya, who often face stigma and discrimination.
Facts about Kenya
- Population: 57 million
- Capital: Nairobi
- Official languages: English, Kiswahili
- Human development index (HDI) ranking: 152 (medium)
7.5 million people in Kenya have vision loss or impairment
7 million people in the country are at risk from trachoma
Sources: World Report on Vision, University of Nairobi
Two men ride motorbikes on a dusty dirt road, amid a spectacular rural landscape with distant trees and mountains.
What are the challenges in Kenya, and how can these be addressed?
Eye care
Kenya’s health care system lacks funding and essential resources.
While basic health care is a constitutional right, many people in Kenya are unable to access free treatment and vital medicines. Sightsavers has been carrying out charity work in the country for more than 70 years, aiming to improve local health services, train staff and ensure eye care is available for all.
Infectious diseases
People in Kenya are at a high risk of neglected tropical diseases.
The infectious disease trachoma is endemic in 12 counties across the country, putting thousands of people at risk of losing their sight. Our work on neglected tropical diseases in Kenya focuses on treating and preventing trachoma.
Inclusion and equality
Not everyone in Kenya has equal opportunities.
Many children with disabilities aren’t able to go to school to gain an education, while young adults with disabilities may struggle to find training and employment. Our charity work on disability rights in Kenya focuses on improving education and employment opportunities for everyone.
Nicodemus smiles broadly.
“I’ve always had this dream, but I didn’t have the opportunity. Sightsavers’ academy opened a gateway to my career. Now I’m an IT specialist.”
Nicodemus, who graduated from the IT Bridge Academy for students with disabilities
How you can help
Our work in Kenya is helping to improve health care for everyone, but there’s still more we need to do.
With your support, we want to train more eye care staff, protect people from infectious diseases like trachoma and ensure everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential. To do this, we need your help.
Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our programmes in Kenya. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.
Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in Kenya, would like more information about our programmes or wish to discuss ways you can donate or support us, email ask-kenya@sightsavers.org
Latest stories from Kenya
“Usually, men tell their wives not to go to hospital”
Cataracts stopped Caliha from working as a farmer, and without her family’s support, she struggled to access treatment. Caliha was able to have an operation and is now earning a living again.
“Women don’t get easy access to employment opportunities”
Lydia is a graduate of Sightsavers’ IT Bridge Academy and a disability rights activist. She works in the executive office of the president of Kenya.
“I’ve always wanted to have a very big business”
Entrepreneur Michelle uses her experience of living with a disability to mentor other young women through Sightsavers’ economic empowerment project in Zimbabwe.
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Sightsavers trials technology to boost eye screening in Kenya
Peek Vision's innovative app aims to improve the country's eye health and ensure robust, continued care for people with visual impairments.
October 2024
Reaching remote communities
In the unforgiving desert of northern Kenya, getting treatment for painful, debilitating eye conditions such as trachoma can be an impossible task.
Discover where Sightsavers works in Africa and Asia
Where we work