National Liberal Party Champions Disability Inclusion in Politics through PWD Leadership Engagement
In a strong show of commitment to inclusivity, Gladis Achieng, a representative of the National Liberal Party (NLP), participated in a high-level consultative meeting organized by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) at Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands, on June 4, 2025. The forum focused on enhancing the inclusion and active participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within political party structures across Kenya.
The session, themed “Promoting Inclusive and Active Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Political Parties,” brought together leaders from various political formations, disability rights advocates, and officials from the ORPP.
The event opened with remarks from ORPP facilitators, including Anastacia K. and Daniel Kinuthia, who presented the objectives of the meeting. The Registrar of Political Parties and assistant registrars emphasized the need for institutional commitment to disability inclusion. Joyce Onyango highlighted milestones already achieved by ORPP, including frameworks to promote equal representation.
Gladis Achieng representing the National Liberal Party at the Consultative Meeting on PWD Inclusion held at Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands – June 4, 2025.
The event opened with remarks from ORPP facilitators, including Anastacia K. and Daniel Kinuthia, who presented the objectives of the meeting. The Registrar of Political Parties and assistant registrars emphasized the need for institutional commitment to disability inclusion. Joyce Onyango highlighted milestones already achieved by ORPP, including frameworks to promote equal representation.
During the interactive reflections session, Gladis Achieng joined other party leaders in addressing the critical gaps that hinder PWD inclusion. She underlined NLP’s readiness to implement internal reforms and advocate for accessible political spaces. “We must move from tokenism to transformation,” Achieng noted, emphasizing the necessity of meaningful involvement of PWDs in both grassroots and national decision-making levels.
The meeting produced actionable recommendations including:
Formal recognition of PWD leaders in party structures.
Removal of physical, digital, and systemic barriers that hinder participation.
Capacity-building and pre-election training for aspiring PWD candidates.
Collaboration with disability advocacy groups for policy implementation.
Improved accessibility of party offices and communication platforms.
Notably, the session raised alarm over underrepresentation of PWDs in 21 County Assemblies, exposing a critical area in need of urgent political and legislative attention.
In her report, Achieng emphasized that the National Liberal Party is committed to walking the talk on inclusion. “NLP stands with all Kenyans, regardless of physical ability. We are building a political movement where everyone belongs,” she said.
As political parties prepare for upcoming electoral cycles, the ORPP has urged stakeholders to implement the recommendations with urgency. For the NLP, this meeting reinforced its pledge to be at the forefront of inclusive governance and equal political opportunity.
Prepared by:
National Liberal Party Communications Office
