By Victoria Mumbi

[Athi River, Tuesday 11th March, 2025] The Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban P. Ayiro met with representatives of the Kenya Society for the Blind, Bitech, and Eco Care Trust to discuss possible collaboration through a project intended to support persons with print disability.

The blended meeting was attended by Prof. Russel Taylor from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, the Executive Director of the Kenya Society for the Blind, Mr. Samson Waweru, KSB Programmes Director, Digitization of Content, Mr. Danson Kiptum, Mr. Douglas Sidialo and Mr. Stanley Mutuma from Eco Care Trust, Mr. Martin Kieti from Bitech, which promotes inclusive education for persons with print disability through digital literacy.

The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Ag. DVC ARSA, Prof. Samuel Muriithi, the Director of Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (D-RICE), Dr. Caroline Ayuya Muaka, the Dean, School of Applied Human Sciences, Dr. Kennedy Ongaro, and Ms. Carolyne Nyokabi from the Directorate of Resource Mobilization.

The Vice Chancellor emphasized that the research-based project shall involve setting up assistive tools for students with print disability, and was positive that it will people with visual disability in Kenya.

“We want to provide digital learning [solutions] to students with print disability,” said the VC, adding that Daystar University will set aside a floor for the assistive equipment. Already, 200 computers for such students have been donated, and only waiting to be shipped to Kenya.

Prof. Ayiro highlighted that a physical computer lab will be considered for students with visual imparement.

On his part, the Dean School of Applied Human Sciences, Dr. Kennedy Ongaro, was positive that bringing this project to the attention of the government would attract more support.

The donor, Prof. Russel Taylor, said the project was going to be a great programme and promised to support the initiative where he could.

“I am ready to provide funding to see this project become a success,” said Prof. Russel.