Church leaders in Kenya and Zimbabwe unveiled sweeping new disability-rights action plans after a World Council of Churches workshop in Nairobi on 27th November 2025, which has marked a significant shift in how African churches intend to champion inclusion over the next two years.
World Council of Churches (WCC) coordinator Anjeline Okola said that the training had been “very crucial”, adding that leaders were now equipped to help congregations “ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities”.
The three-day gathering, organised by the WCC Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, brought together 25 leaders from the Anglican Church of Kenya, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe.
Participants took part in Bible studies, theological reflections and African case-study discussions to strengthen their understanding of disability rights in areas such as work, employment and climate-change adaptation.
Dr Samuel Kabue, former WCC executive secretary, told the workshop that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “did not create new rights” but offered a framework enabling people with disabilities to enjoy the same freedoms as others.
He urged churches and civil-society groups to support monitoring by contributing to parallel reports alongside governments that had ratified the convention.
In their new plans, the Anglican Church of Kenya committed to inclusion training, parish-level disability committees and a new policy manual.
The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe pledged clergy training, an inclusion policy and a disability-inclusive climate strategy. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa planned to teach theological principles such as “a church of all and for all”.
Rev Zadock Oluoch said the event revealed a need for greater partnership, while Zimbabwean advocate Joyce Matara called for urgent action so people with disabilities could access education, employment and leadership.