Director & Secretary to the KISE Council
Introduction
Dr. Norman S. Kiogora is the Director of the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) and Secretary to the KISE Council. A distinguished educationist with over three decades of experience starting in 1993, he has led key transformations in institutional management, policy reform, and inclusive education across Kenya. At KISE, Dr. Kiogora drives innovation, strategic partnerships, and infrastructure development to expand access for learners with disabilities. His expertise spans curriculum reform, ICT integration, and disability mainstreaming, complemented by scholarly contributions to special needs education and teacher development through the Commonwealth of Learning.
Education Background
Dr. Kiogora holds the following academic qualifications:
- PhD in Educational Administration – Maasai Mara University
- Master of Education (Educational Administration) – University of Nairobi
- Bachelor of Education (Arts) – University of Nairobi
Professional Experience
Dr. Kiogora began his career as a classroom teacher in 1993, steadily advancing through key institutional leadership roles:
- Chief Principal – Moi Forces Academy
- Senior Principal – Kathiani Boys
- Head Teacher & Deputy – Kianjai Secondary School
- Chairman – Nairobi Principals Association (5-Year Term)
Dr. Kiogora is a visionary and transformational leader known for his strategic thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, integrity, collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to inclusive education. He is recognised for fostering partnerships, driving innovation, empowering people and delivering sustainable, people-centred solutions that improve educational outcomes for learners with disabilities. Under his leadership, KISE has strengthened its role as a national centre of excellence in special needs education through expanded assessment and rehabilitation services, professional training, research, capacity building, assistive technology development and strategic partnerships with government agencies, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector.
Key Leadership Initiatives
- Capacity Building: Spearheading capacity-building programs for EARC and County Special Needs Education officers to strengthen assessment, placement, and inclusive education.
- Parental Empowerment: Leading the establishment of the Parental Empowerment Centre and convening a national conference on engaging families of children with disabilities.
- Assessment Services: Equipping the National Psycho-Educational Assessment Centre and launching a mobile assessment truck for nationwide outreach.
- Assistive Technology: Establishing the KISE Assistive Devices Factory and organizing the 1st Africa Expo on Assistive Devices.
- Distribution of Assistive Devices: Overseeing centralized distribution of assistive tools and materials, reaching 375 schools in its first phase.
- Expanded Training: Rolling out new programs in Audiology, Speech & Language Therapy, KSL Interpretation, and Learner Support.
- Disability Mainstreaming: Conducting training across 20+ organizations and supporting Sign Language training for 1,200+ public servants with NCPWD.
- Policy & Accessibility: Contributing SNE insights to the Presidential Working Party on Education and producing 16,000+ Braille civic education volumes with IEBC.
- Institutional Sustainability: Operationalizing the KISE ARC Hotel and Conference Centre and expanding strategic cross-sector partnerships.
- Environmental Sustainability: Establishing a KISE tree nursery (60,000+ trees grown in 2023–2024) and implementing an 80KW solar energy project.
Awards & Recognitions
Under Dr. Kiogora’s stewardship, KISE has earned notable national and international accolades:
- Inclusive Employer Award
- Inclusivity in Gender Award
- Best EARC Inclusive Education Champion Award
- Most Improved State Corporation Award
- 3rd Position – State Corporations Performance Category
- Inclusive Education & Special Needs Training Excellence Award