In a groundbreaking move toward inclusive and
equitable education, the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind (MTIB) has
launched a state-of-the-art smart library designed specifically for visually
impaired learners.
This new facility, built under the partnership
between MTIB and the Rotary Club of Kilimani Alfajiri is equipped with digital
assistive technologies, audio learning tools, and Braille-compatible systems,
is set to revolutionize access to technical and vocational training for
students with visual impairments.
The milestone not only underscores Kenya’s
commitment to inclusive education but also positions MTIB as a national leader
in empowering learners with disabilities through innovation and technology.
Speaking
at the launch, Secretary to the Cabinet (Education) Mercy Wanjau described the
library as “a powerful step toward bridging the inclusivity gap.”
She
praised the initiative for empowering learners with visual impairments to
access academic resources and opportunities on equal footing.
MTIB,
the only technical training institution in East and Central Africa offering
craft courses tailored for the visually impaired, has long led efforts to make
education more accessible.
The
new library aligns with Kenya’s Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET)
framework and supports digital inclusion efforts under the eCitizen initiative.
According
to Dr. Joseph Kanyi, Director at TVET, called the facility a “game-changer,”
enabling students to gain vital 21st-century skills for self-reliance and
employment.
MTIB
-Chief Principal Dr. Nduku Mutua revealed that the project was funded entirely
through community and private contributions.
“This
library is a symbol of what’s possible when communities, individuals, and
partners come together,” she said, urging further government support, including
land and infrastructure expansion.
Rotary
District Governor-Elect RTN Saad Rahman reaffirmed the organization’s
commitment to inclusive growth.
“Change
only happens when we act collectively,” he said, citing Rotary’s focus on
education and economic empowerment.
Machakos
County government Education CECM Dr. Consolata Mutisya challenged both national
and county governments to ensure children with disabilities are not left
behind.
“Neglecting
them is denying them a future,” she said.
Stakeholders
used the event to advocate for MTIB’s elevation to National Polytechnic status,
which would expand opportunities for learners across the region.
The
library launch follows the enactment of Kenya’s Persons with Disabilities Act
(2025), part of broader government efforts to embed inclusion in national
policy.
With
about 900,000 Kenyans living with disabilities, the facility represents a step
toward achieving Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The
ceremony closed with a call to action: for all citizens to champion educational
and digital inclusion. As one speaker noted,
“Together,
we can create a Kenya where every learner, every dreamer, regardless of
ability, has the chance to learn, lead, and thrive.”
