Strengthening Disability Outreach in Kilifi Through Collaboration with NCPWD

Beyond 47 recently convened with Mr. Mathias Tsuma, who chairs the National Council for Persons with Disabilities in Kilifi County, to discuss collaborative opportunities for community awareness efforts.

Tsuma provided context about the region's geography and demographics. Kilifi County spans substantial territory with three primary urban zones — Kilifi Town, Malindi, and Mtwapa — while remaining areas are characterised as pre-urban or rural. Urban centres show growing disability awareness, though knowledge deficits remain prominent in less developed regions.

A significant challenge involves parental understanding of disabilities. Tsuma noted that "many parents continue to struggle with a limited understanding of disabilities, compounded by strong social stigma." Cultural beliefs attributing disability to curses prevent families from accepting conditions and pursuing necessary interventions, leaving children without early support services.

Tsuma identified grassroots community engagement as the immediate priority. He emphasised that "supporting parents at the community level through knowledge-sharing" represents the foundational step before advancing to broader intervention strategies. He referenced Aristotle's principle: "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."

The discussion addressed current data limitations regarding the disabled population in Kilifi County. NCPWD intends to execute countywide outreach during the coming year to establish more comprehensive population information.

Beyond 47's Plans

The organisation aims to partner with Tsuma and the NCPWD Kilifi team to organise community events, particularly in rural locations, focusing on awareness-raising, stigma reduction, and advocacy for children with Down syndrome and their families.