KISE: East Africa’s Emerging Hub for Special Needs Education

By Makori Ongechi

There is no secret anymore. The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is steadily and boldly cementing its place as a regional hub for Special Needs Education (SNE)—a center of excellence that nations across East Africa are turning to for leadership, structure, and inspiration.

In recent months, KISE has proudly hosted benchmarking delegations from Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and most recently, Kyambogo University from Uganda. These visits are not mere formalities—they reflect a growing regional confidence in KISE’s capacity to lead in assessment, teacher training, and applied research.

Much like the Perkins School for the Blind in the U.S. or Norway’s Statped, KISE is fast becoming a continental beacon for inclusive education. What sets it apart is its uniquely African model—grounded in resilience, homegrown solutions, and an unwavering commitment to equity.

KISE’s Educational Assessment and Resource Centres (EARCs) continue to serve as blueprints for effective early identification and support for learners with special needs. Its in-service and pre-service training programs are shaping a new wave of inclusive educators, while its research arm is directly informing policy and practice—not just in Kenya, but across the region.

Few institutions on the continent offer this kind of strategic integration. Fewer still are attracting the level of attention KISE now commands.

From Nairobi to Kigali, Mogadishu to Addis Ababa, and now Kampala—KISE is no longer just a national institution. It is a regional reference point, an institution trusted to lead, mentor, and shape the inclusive education agenda for Africa.