Disability Rights in Kenya’s Climate Emergencies

Climate-related disasters disproportionately affect Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), yet disability-inclusive emergency response remains inadequately understood in Kenya. In this article, the rights perceived by PWDs as infringed during climate-related disasters were assessed, the ways these infringements relate to gaps in emergency response systems were examined, and best practices for inclusive disaster management were identified. A qualitative case study was conducted in flood-prone sub-counties of Kisumu County using four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving purposively selected PWDs, caregivers, chiefs, emergency responders, humanitarian actors, and social welfare officers. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using NVivo 14. Findings indicate that systemic exclusion from disaster planning results in inaccessible early warning systems, inadequate evacuation, limited healthcare, and poor shelter provision, leading to violations of the rights to health, dignity, shelter, food, information, and participation. Recommended practices include disability-disaggregated data systems, accessible multi-format communication, inclusive shelter design, responder training, caregiver integration, and meaningful participation of PWDs in disaster planning to strengthen disability-inclusive climate resilience.