Beyond the Myths: Kenya’s Commitment to the Rights and Protection of Persons with Albinism

As the world marks International Albinism Awareness Day 2025, Kenya takes stock of its progress—and persistent gaps—in safeguarding the dignity, health, and inclusion of persons with albinism.

International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), marked annually, is more than a date on the calendar — it is a clarion call for justice, health equity, and human dignity. This year’s theme, “Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Lives”, resonates deeply with the lived realities of thousands of persons with albinism (PWAs) in Kenya and beyond.

In Kenya, the 2019 census recorded 9,729 persons with albinism, roughly 0.02% of the population. While the Constitution recognises albinism as a disability, daily life remains a test of endurance for many PWAs. From enduring sun exposure that leads to life-threatening skin cancer, to exclusion in schools and the job market, the burden is far heavier than the statistics suggest.

Yet amidst these trials, the Government of Kenya has made significant strides. Through the National Albinism Sunscreen Support Program, free skincare products are distributed countrywide. Policy reforms have improved access to education and employment, and most recently, the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 reinforced the legal protection framework.

Kenya is at a crossroads. The question is not whether progress has been made—it has. The question is whether Kenya will boldly complete the journey toward full inclusion, protection, and celebration of persons with albinism.

“Albinism is not a disease,” says Chairperson Hon. Jaldesa. “It is a different way of being—a way equally worthy of safety, visibility, and respect.”

Children with albinism embody the call for inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity for all.