Our History
Albinism Society of Kenya is a national Civil Society Organization. It was established in June 2006 to seek social inclusion and enhance the self-esteem of Persons with Albinism.
The Society was formed in June 2006 from a meeting organized by Catherine Nyambura, Rick Guidotti, in collaboration with African Braille Centre and Kenya Society for the Blind. Aiming at bringing together all persons with albinism in Kenya, this meeting was unique in its sense. For the first time in the Kenyan history persons with albinism came together to share their experiences in living with albinism; stories of stigma and discrimination, of living as a minority group in cultures and societies that are ignorant of their Rights, needs and condition. It was behind this backdrop that, this meeting resolved to form an organization that would act as a platform in championing for the Rights and needs of persons with albinism in Kenya.
During the above meeting, an election was held where the first office bearers were elected as follows; Munyere Alex as Chairman, Isaac Mwaura Vice Chairman, Alex Kaluyu Secretary and Esther Kiunya as Treasurer. Other members included Catherine Karumba Organizing Secretary and Bernadict Kinyua and Nancy Njoki Kamau as committee members. The organization was formally registered in 2006 under the societies Act (Sec 10 of the laws of Kenya) in 2007. The main objective was to advocate for the social inclusion of persons with albinism, as well as enhanced provision of medical care to their sensitive skin and eye.
Our Values
Mission
ASK exists to facilitate access to accurate and authoritative information about albinism and to provide a place where people with albinism and their families, in Kenya, can find acceptance, support and fellowship. We do this through the creation of awareness of their rights, social inclusion, socio-economic opportunities and empowerment, provision of sunscreen lotion and prescription glasses and general management of their health.
Donate NowOur Identity
We are a National not-for-profit Civil Society Organization (CSO) established to bring together and assist people with albinism (PWA) to live dignified lives through awareness raising to enhance their confidence and self-esteem, advocacy and lobbying, economic empowerment, access to education and training and general management of their health.
Become VolunteerAlbinism Society of Kenya National Board
Hon. Isaac Maigua Mwaura
Hon. Isaac Maigua Mwaura is a husband and father of one boy. He went to Thika Primary School for the Blind and later on Thika High School for the Blind. He then joined Kenyatta University to do a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and French.
He further did a Post-graduate diploma in Public Relations Management and a Diploma in Theology. Hon. Mwaura went on to do a Master’s degree in Social and Public Policy as a Ford Scholar from the University of Leeds. Hon. Mwaura holds another Master’s Degree from Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Hon. Mwaura has previously worked in various organizations. He worked as a program officer in United Disabled Persons of Kenya. He also worked as an advisor-Human Rights and Program Development-VSO/PSO Papua New Guinea.
He recently got an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in humanities (Honoris Causa), from UGCI-USA for his contribution to society in serving the marginalized and minorities in Kenya. This came months later after the President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta awarded him Chief of Burning Spear
He has also worked as a Program Coordinator-Gender and Union development, a Program Manager –African Union of the Blind, Advocacy and Rehab Services, Kenya Society for the Blind.
Ag. Deputy Director Programs and Head Public Relations and Communications at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).He was an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Raila Odinga on Special Interest Groups. He is currently the National Coordinator for Albinism Society of Kenya since 2007. He has also served on various boards in Kenya.
He is the author of a book: A Discourse of Human Rights, Disability and Development in Kenya.
He has served for five years as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly and is currently the Senator representing people with disabilities in the Senate.
Lydia Mugure
Lydia Mugure is a graduate of African Nazarene with a Bachelor’s Degree in Peace and Conflict. She is has vast knowledge on Counseling. She has been a counselor in Embulbul Education and Counseling center and Africa Mental Health Foundation. She has worked with the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), springs of Hope Counseling Consultancy, Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission, World Vision, Healing the Healer, Child Line, Kenya Red Cross Society and Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya. She is currently the National Treasure of Albinism Society of Kenya.
Mary Mugure Arithi
Mary M. Arithi is a mother of one daughter and a grandmother of two grandsons. She started schooling in Kionyo Primary School in Meru county up to class three. Due to visual problems she dropped out later joining St. Lucy’s Primary School for the blind where she did her CPE. She then joined Thika school for the blind from form one to form six. She later joined Kenyatta University to do a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (History & Religious Studies).
She was deployed by Teacher’s Service Commission and posted to St Mark’s primary teacher training college Kigari in Embu country. Mary Arithi is also an author with the Oxford University Press. She has written Christian Religious Education (CRE) book for both primary school and teacher training.
She is the coordinator for Albinism of Kenya Mount Kenya branch. She is also the National Secretary of the Albinism Society of Kenya.
Matilda Jerono
Matilda Jerono is a mother of 4 children; two with dark skin and two with albinism. She is the mother to Goldalyn Kakuya, the best candidate in the 2017 KCPE In Kenya.
Matilda has Bachelors Degree in Education ( English & Literature) from Egerton University. She’s also undertaking a Masters in Educational Psychology; through with course work and working on a thesis titled “Self-concept of learners with special needs.a
She is currently a Tutor at Kibabii TTC teaching psychology.