Abstract:
Education is a right for all children as recognised by several international instruments including
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948. However, disability is one of the
major barriers that hinder children from achieving their educational goals, creating the largest
single group of children who remain out of school since they have been excluded from general
education system. Kenya just like other countries in the world adopted inclusive education policy
in 2008 as a way of achieving the millennium development goals through education for all.
Inclusive education has been found to be the most ideal approach to achieve quality education
for children with special needs. Inclusive, learner friendly environments are important in
education for they lead to sustainable developments that are much needed in Kenya. It is against
this backdrop that this paper seeks to establish the role of inclusive education in promoting
sustainable development in Kenya by examining the extent to which implementation of inclusive
education in Kenya has improved access to education and promoted life-long learning
opportunities to children with disabilities. It will also establish the extent to which inclusive
education has improved access to opportunities of children with disabilities in order to attain
meaningful employment that will help them out of poverty. The secondary data was obtained
from government reports, published journals, textbooks, and other documented research
reports. The data was analysed through quantitative and qualitative techniques. This paper is
expected to give insight and enlighten various stakeholders who are mandated with the
implementation of inclusive education in Kenya. It will also trigger debate that can inform policy
formulation in this area. The paper will also add value to the existing body of knowledge on the
area of inclusive education and sustainable development.
