CRYSTAL ASIGE LAUNCHES SENATE PROBE INTO ILLEGAL DISABILITY ASSESSMENT FEES

Nominated Senator representing Persons with Disabilities, Crystal Asige, has announced she is formally involving the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee to investigate reports that State and private facilities are illegally charging medical assessment fees.

Despite the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 stipulating that these assessments should be free of charge, numerous reports confirm that many are still being forced to pay.

“I am involving the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee to get to the bottom of why persons with disabilities continue to be charged medical assessment fees in several facilities despite clear provisions in the law,” stated Senator Asige. She also extended support to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for stepping up, saying, “Salute to my SG for stepping in for me in my absence.”

Asige said that these unauthorised charges create an unfair financial burden and undermine the rights of persons with disabilities. “These charges create unfair financial barriers for Kenyans seeking official recognition and support for their disabilities,” she said. “Such practices contradict our national commitment to equality, dignity, and inclusion. Access to disability assessments must be free, fair, and uniform across the country.”

The Senator’s intervention seeks to compel compliance with the law, ensure accountability from the relevant ministries and health facilities, and remove the financial obstacles that prevent many from obtaining their official disability cards.