The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Secretariat today participated in a sensitization training on the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act 2024, reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to inclusivity, compliance, and equitable participation in economic development.

The training was conducted by experts from The Next Step Foundation in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and provided KNCCI staff with an in-depth understanding of the new legal and policy framework governing disability inclusion in Kenya.

During the session, participants were taken through global and local disability demographics, highlighting the scale, diversity, and economic significance of persons with disabilities. The facilitators emphasized the importance of institutional compliance with the PWD Act 2024 and the responsibility of organizations to proactively integrate disability inclusion into their governance, operations, and service delivery models.

Key focus areas of the training included:

  • The rationale and requirements for compliance with the PWD Act 2024;
  • Practical steps for aligning organizations with the Act from senior executive leadership to middle-level management;
  • Legal obligations, rights, and potential compliance risks;
  • Clarifying the distinction between disability and impairment to promote accurate understanding and inclusive policy implementation.

The session underscored the role of leadership in driving organizational culture change, noting that disability inclusion must be embedded at strategic, managerial, and operational levels to achieve meaningful impact.

The sensitization forum was organized in liaison with the KNCCI Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Committee, with the Committee Chairman, Mr. Raphael Waweru, in attendance. His participation reaffirmed the Chamber’s institutional commitment to advancing disability inclusion within the private sector.

KNCCI anticipates that the strengthened partnership with The Next Step Foundation and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities will enhance its capacity to empower members on disability compliance and inclusion. As the lead trade support institution and the voice of the private sector in Kenya, KNCCI remains dedicated to championing inclusive business practices that unlock opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities.

This initiative forms part of KNCCI’s broader agenda to support policy alignment, promote inclusive growth, and ensure that Kenyan businesses are well-positioned to comply with evolving regulatory frameworks while fostering sustainable and equitable economic development.