In a quiet hospital corridor, where uncertainty often hangs heavy in the air, Joseph Mbugua Githiko offers something many patients desperately need but rarely receive enough of hope.

A counseling psychologist at Kenyatta National Hospital, Githiko's work goes beyond clinical support. He listens, reassures, and walks with patients and their families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

"I talk to patients and their relatives, give them encouragement, and seeing them come back happy after recovery is what motivates me," he says.

Born in the early 1980s, Githiko describes his upbringing as no different from that of any other child. Despite living with cerebral palsy, he attended mainstream schools from nursery to college without being treated as a special case.

"I went to normal school just like any other child. My health has been fine, and I have never depended on medication," he explains.

Githiko's journey into healthcare began in laboratory technology, a field he practiced for several years. Along the way, however, he noticed a gap: patients were not only battling physical illness but also emotional and psychological distress.

"Many patients struggle mentally due to their illnesses and the financial challenges they face," he says. "That is why I decided to study counseling to support them throughout the treatment process."

Today, his role involves counseling patients, supporting their families, and even encouraging fellow healthcare workers. Yet, the work is not without its emotional toll.

"Some days do not end well, especially when a patient you have been talking to dies," he admits. "You invest your heart in them, share hope and comfort, and yet sometimes it's not enough. The silence they leave behind lingers long after the ward is empty."

While Githiko's story is one of resilience, it also highlights the broader challenges faced by people with disabilities in Kenya.

"The journey starts with parents and relatives," he says. "Many people with disabilities are not exposed to opportunities because of stigma in the community, and, without proper support and encouragement, their potential often goes unrecognized."

In Kenya, the term used in law and policy is "persons with disabilities," as reflected in the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025.

Under Article 54 of the Constitution, persons with disabilities are entitled to dignity, inclusive education, access to public spaces and transport, and information in accessible formats such as Braille and Sign Language.

The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, further strengthens these rights, including a requirement that institutions with at least 20 employees ensure that at least 5% of their workforce is composed of persons with disabilities.

However, implementation remains uneven.

"There is still a gap between what the law provides and what people experience daily," notes Kennedy Okong'o, Director at Riziki Source. "Many institutions have not met the 5% employment requirement, and accessibility is still a challenge in infrastructure, services, and digital platforms."

According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, about 918,270 people (roughly 2.2% of the population) live with disabilities, though experts believe the number could be higher due to underreporting.

Persons who are abled differently continue to face stigma, limited access to opportunities, and economic barriers, including the high cost of assistive devices and transport.

"Disability inclusion is not just about policy; it's about opportunity," adds Okong'o. "We need stronger enforcement, better data, and systems that connect people to meaningful work and self-employment."

For Githiko, healthcare is more than a profession; it is a calling rooted in empathy.

"When you choose a medical career, forget about the money. Be empathetic. Patients and their families need hope, especially when they feel like they are losing it,” he says.

He also emphasizes that healthcare workers, often seen as pillars of strength, need support too.

"Despite being healthcare workers, we are also normal people. We need encouragement and support from the government and society,” he adds.

As the world marks World Health Day, Githiko's story speaks directly to this year's call for inclusive, accessible, and people-centered healthcare.

His journey reflects a broader truth: health is not only about treatment, but also about dignity, empathy, and equal opportunity. For persons with disabilities, achieving "health for all" means not just access to care, but inclusion in the very systems designed to deliver it.

Despite the challenges, Githiko remains steadfast in his mission to heal beyond medicine and to remind patients that recovery is not just physical, but also emotional.

His story is not just one of personal triumph, but a reflection of a larger truth: that inclusion, when fully embraced, has the power to transform not just individual lives, but entire systems.

Transformation quietly begins with every patient he counsels and every family he reassures.