Sightsavers Kenya celebrates 70-year anniversary

Celebrations are being held in Kenya to mark the 70th anniversary of Sightsavers’ office in the country.

Sightsavers Kenya country director Moses Chege said: “We have achieved transformational impact over our 70 years in Kenya, working with the government, organisations of people with disabilities and the not-for-profit and private sectors, as well as communities across the country. As we mark this milestone, we look forward to stronger collaboration to ensure a society where no one is blind from avoidable causes and people with disabilities participate equally.”

Sightsavers began working in Kenya in 1952, when blindness affected up to 7% of rural Kenyans, and a further 2.5% had a significant degree of visual impairment. The organisation’s primary focus in the early years was on eliminating avoidable blindness, promoting integrated education, and community-based rehabilitation for adults who were blind.

Sightsavers has expanded its remit in Kenya over the years to include training programmes for teachers and health workers, employment programmes, inclusive education projects, and hygiene and sanitation education for communities. It is also working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other eye care providers to implement the 2020-2025 National Strategic Plan for Eye Health and Blindness Prevention.

Find out more about our work in Kenya