Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, and Children’s Services, Hanna Cheptumo, has urged for a united approach in tackling the numerous challenges confronting children living with disabilities.

During a humanitarian visit to Kabarnet School for the Deaf and Blind aimed at supporting special needs institutions, Cheptumo highlighted that issues such as poverty, insecurity, and neglect continue to jeopardize the future of children with disabilities in Kenya.

“We are designing a lasting strategy to ensure that special school's function with dignity and consistency,” she said. “But this effort cannot succeed through government action alone.”

She appealed to religious institutions, community elders, well-wishers, and civil society to step in and help return vulnerable children to safe, loving homes while protecting them from abuse and exploitation.

Cheptumo also announced plans by her ministry to boost child protection frameworks and enhance inclusivity, particularly in emergency situations like displacement and domestic violence.

“This isn’t about doing a favour it’s about doing what’s right. These children are part of our community, and it’s our shared responsibility to support them,” she emphasized.

The CS revealed that Baringo County is grappling with a high rate of parental neglect, with 2,177 reported cases in the past year.

Principal Secretary for Children Welfare Services, Caren Angego, called for swift action to identify children with disabilities who have been hidden or abandoned at home.

“These children must not be invisible they deserve care, dignity, and celebration. Parents must take responsibility,” Angego said.

Gender PS Anne Wang’ombe echoed the call, noting that women and girls with physical disabilities are three times more likely to experience gender-based violence.

“We need neighbors and relatives to advocate for them, especially when they can’t speak for themselves. They need compassion, not condemnation,” Wang’ombe stated.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi pledged to prioritize the registration of special needs learners under the Social Health Authority (SHA), adding that the county will support income-generating ventures such as horticulture nurseries to help special schools achieve long-term self-reliance.