On 23^rd April 2024, KEPSA Foundation Executive Director Ms. Gloria Ndekei held a meeting with the United States Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Ms. Sara Minkara in a meeting that focused on exploring potential areas of partnership towards advancing disability inclusion in the private sector.  Ms. Minkara was accompanied by Senior Policy Advisor Ms. Kristi Mietzner, Special Assistant Ms. Hanah Nasri and the Embassy of USA in Kenya Political Officer Ms. Claire Thomas.

Ms Minkara was in the country to strengthen the relations between the United States and Kenya on the development of assistive technology, inclusive education, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Ms. Ndekei underscored the significant contribution of KEPSA and KEPSA Foundation to disability inclusion in the country. She emphasized the need to foster the adoption of Key Responsible Business Practices, ESGs (Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria), and the value of corporate Social Investments within the private sector. She highlighted the persistent prejudices and obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities, impeding their access to leadership roles and decision-making positions in employment and entrepreneurship.

Ms.  Ndekei voiced KEPSA Foundation's aspiration to collaborate with the United States Government in advancing the economic empowerment of people with disabilities through sustainable avenues for ensuring their meaningful involvement in employment and entrepreneurship. She further emphasized the Foundation's capacity for driving advocacy, capacity building, comprehensive situation analyses, dissemination of best practices, and collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting disability inclusion within Kenya's private sector.

Ms. Minkara, who had been engaging with host government officials and other stakeholders in Kenya, on her part expressed her delight at the strides made by the private sector in fostering a transformative ecosystem for disability inclusion in employment and entrepreneurship within Kenya. she underscored the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities to ensure their voices are heard, emphasizing the necessity for the private sector to actively engage in advocacy efforts, particularly regarding the Sign Language Bill of 2024. This legislation aims to remove barriers faced by deaf individuals in public spaces. Additionally, she stressed the importance of sensitization campaigns and the showcasing of best practices and success stories of disability inclusion within the private sector.