The Best Schools for Children with Special Needs in Kenya

The 2019 census in Kenya shows that 2.2% (900,000) people live with some form of disability. However, children below the age of 5 were excluded from the 2019 census, thus making it difficult to predict their population. Some attend schools for children with special needs, while others remain locked in their homes.  

The prevalence rate of people with hearing difficulties ranges between 0.9% and 0.1%, whereas those with visual difficulties range between 1.7% and 0.1%. In addition, the rate for people with cognitive difficulties is 1.3% to 0.2%, and mobility difficulties lie between 2.0% to 0.2%.

For people with communication difficulties, the prevalence rate is between 0.5% and 0.1%, and for self-care difficulties, the range lies between 0.6% and 0.1%.

Best Schools for Children with Special Needs

School	Areas of specialization	Contact	Location
Treeside special school	Mentally  handicapped	[email protected] +254 722 244642	Kasarani, Nairobi
Kenya Community Centre for Learning	All learning disabilities	[email protected] +254 721 324894/ +254 734 152809	Off Thika Superhighway, Exit 8 Behind Thika Road Mall
Joyland Special School for physically handicapped	Physically handicapped	057 2024016	Kilifi Rd, Kisumu
Kambui school for the deaf	Deaf	061 20340690	Githunguri, Kiambu
Jacaranda special school	Autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome	N/A	Kilimani, Nairobi
First steps intervention	All learning disabilities	[email protected] +254 722 645342	Kileleshwa, Nairobi
Annabel schools in Donholm	All learning disabilities	[email protected] +254 722 308307	Donholm, Nairobi
St. Angela’s vocational secondary school for the deaf	Deaf Blind deaf	+254 056 641006	Mumias- Kakamega Rd
Joytown Primary School for physically impaired	Cerebral palsy Spina Bifida Poliomyelitis Bowlegged & club foot	+254 724 505105 [email protected]	Thika
Fairmile school	Autism	[email protected] +254 721 699844	Waiyaki Way, Nairobi

List of Schools for Children With Special Needs 

1. Treeside School for Children With Special Needs 

Treeside is a school located in the Kasarani area in Nairobi County. The school offers training, teaching, and rehabilitation to people with learning and intellectual difficulties.

As one of the public special needs schools in Nairobi, Treeside does not charge fees. Therefore, you only pay the boarding fee for your child.

Children receive care during their learning process and come out empowered despite their challenges. 

Google Rating: 4.6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Reviews) 

2. Kenya Community Centre for Learning

KCCL is one of the schools for children with special needs in Kenya. It offers alternative education to children between the ages of 6 and 21 with different learning challenges.

Kenya Community Centre for Learning works towards empowering people with special needs. The non-profit community school provides assessments and therapy services.

The teachers in this school have undergone special training. As a result, they teach children professionally. 

Google Rating: 3.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9 Reviews) 

3. Joyland Special School for Physically Handicapped

The special school was started in 1974 by the Salvation Army. The school has 235 children together with 22 teachers.

Joyland, a religious organization, runs the boarding school. Also, the school trains them to strive to seek opportunities in the world rather than sympathy.

The special school in Kenya works with the motto of ‘Education relieves disability’.  Joyland Special School offers training in life skills, such as farming programs and tailoring.

In addition, it has a physiotherapy department that gives children regular treatment to keep their bodies gaining more physical independence. 

Google Rating: 3.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8 Reviews) 

4. Kambui School for the Deaf

Kambui is one of the mixed primary schools for children with hearing-impaired special needs in Kiambu County. A religious organization runs the boarding school.

The special school offers vocational training in knitting, tailoring, hair styling, metalwork, cooking, and carpentry. In the afternoons, upper primary and vocational training pupils undertake computer classes. Therefore, your child comes out of the school for children with special needs as computer literate.

Do not lock up your deaf child at home; take them to Kambui school for children with special needs. 

Google Rating: 3.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8 Reviews) 

5. Jacaranda Special School

Jacaranda offers special needs education in Kenya. It hosts children with mild to severe Down’s syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy. The government-sponsored school mostly relies on donations from well-wishers.

It is one of the schools for children with special needs in Nairobi, thus serving urban children with various disabilities. The teachers are kind and teach each child according to his or her ability.

Also, they teach them life skills like making tapestries, cooking, etc. As a result, you can use such skills to earn a living. 

Google Rating: 3.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (12 Reviews) 

6. First Steps Intervention

It is one of the deaf schools in Nairobi, Kenya. The school nurtures and develops your ability to allow you to become the best in life.

The teaching team uses an individualized learning program to meet the needs of every child. The special school is always open from Monday to Saturday.

First, the school does an evaluation to point out your needs. Afterwards, it develops the required social, educational, developmental, and therapeutic programs to address the needs. 

Google Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2 Reviews) 

7. Annabel Schools for Children with Special Needs in Donholm

Annabel schools in Donholm help children with special needs grow comfortable seeking help. The educators in the special school understand each child’s needs and help them accept themselves.

If you have a child who requires special care, you can email them at [email protected]. Also, you can contact them at 0726339091. 

Google Rating: Not Rated Yet 

8. St. Angela’s Secondary Vocational School for the Deaf

It is a school in Kakamega County that works with deaf girls. As one of the special needs secondary schools, it works towards empowering hearing-impaired girls through vocational skills they can use to earn a living.

It is one of the schools for children with special needs that offers courses like dressmaking, cooking, farming, and typing skills. In addition, the girls participate in extracurricular activities like music and drama. 

Google Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (1 Review) 

9. Joytown Primary School for the Physically Impaired

It is a primary school that takes care of the physically disabled located in Thika. The main service offered in the school is limb deformity correction.

Even if you won’t recover fully, it allows you to use your limbs and walk independently.

As one of the cerebral palsy schools in Kenya, the school has touched the lives of many children. This is because it allows the children to accept themselves. 

Google Rating: 4.2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Reviews) 

10. Fairmile School for Children with Special Needs 

Fairmile School offers a holistic program that develops the appropriate cognitive, social, and life skills of a child with special needs. It uses the Son-Rise program methodology from the Autism Treatment Center of America.

The school for children with special needs serves both children and young adults. If you are within Nairobi seeking a special school for your child, contact Fairmile.

In a nutshell, disability is not an inability. You can do exploits when you undergo a special needs education program. Therefore, do not lock yourself up; join one of the best special needs schools. 

Google Rating: 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Reviews) 

FAQs 

Which autism schools are in Kenya?

Kenya has several schools for autistic children. Some of them include;

• Autism School International
• Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).
• St Gerald’s Centre for Children with Autism
• Bridgewood School
• Jacaranda Special School

Which is the best boarding school for special needs children in Kenya?

Kenya has about 97 special needs schools to cater to children with special needs. There are boarding and day special needs schools in Kenya where you can take your kid. Treeside Special School is one of the best boarding schools for kids who need special attention.

Other boarding schools for special children include PCEA Kambui School for the Deaf and Joytown Schools for the Physically Impaired.

What are some of the private special needs schools in Kenya?

Kenya has the following private schools for children with special needs;

• Bright Hill Special School and Assessment Centre
• Lily of the Valley School
• Race Course Deaf Unit
• The Grangeville School
• Acorn Special Tutorials

Is special needs education a marketable course in Kenya?

The demand for special needs specialists in Kenya is high. Banks, schools, media houses, and NGOs are after these professionals to help their clients with special needs. Therefore, you can take advantage of the available opportunities and pursue a special needs education course in college.