Kenya's first deaf professor wins UN person of the year award for empowering PWDs

Director general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi Zainab Bangura awards Prof Michael Ndurumo with the UN 2025 Person of the Year award on October 24, 2025

THE United Nations has named ProfMichael Ndurumo as the 2025 Person of the Year for his work in empowering persons living with disability.

Prof Ndurumo was honoured on Friday for dedicating his life to empowering PWDs in Kenya and beyond.

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Deaf since the age of eight, Ndurumo became East Africa’s first deaf professor, mentoring generations of educators and advocating for national inclusion policies.

His leadership helped shape Kenya’s Persons with Disabilities Act (2003) and ensured the inclusion of Kenyan Sign Language in the 2010 constitution.

Through his pioneering work—training over 500 teachers, influencing policy, and transforming classrooms and communities—Prof Ndurumo has advanced equality, dignity, and opportunity in line with the global commitment to leave no one behind.

UN undersecretary general and director general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Zainab Bangura, handed the award to Ndurumo.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award at UN headquarters in Nairobi, Prof Ndurumo said the award is a collective tribute to those who live with disabilities across the country and who, in their own unique ways, contribute every day to the public good.

“What began as a modest effort to create a tool for communication has become a national achievement. Today, Kenyan Sign Language is recognised in the Constitution of Kenya as one of the three languages of communication. This is a milestone that has filled me with pride,” he said.

Ndurumo thanked the Education ministry for allowing him to pilot KSL in schools, adding that the country today has over 40 graduates.

He said people living with disability are taking their leadership roles, innovating in technology, excelling in education and shaping the future of the nation.

Ndurumo said his experience has shown that when policies are built on respect for accessibility and opportunities, they open the doors not just for individuals but also for the entire communities.

"Thank you for recognising the efforts of many advocates, professionals, and people with disabilities. Kenya now has a strong disability law and policy, and has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with very evident results."

Bangura lauded Ndurumo, saying he has helped to transform how persons with disability, such as the deaf, follow news in the country.

Bangura said the UN has embraced sign language in all its conferences.

She said Ndurumo’s efforts are a result of a long life story, struggle and love for inclusion.

Bangura described Ndurumo as a pioneer who turned silence into language and isolation into inclusion — shaping laws, education, and equality for millions.

“Your legacy reminds us: true leadership empowers others,” Bangura said.

As is tradition, the UN in Kenya present the UN in Kenya Person of the Year to an individual or institution bringing public notice to the Sustainable Development Goals and whose achievements can serve as an inspiration, in keeping with the ideals of the United Nations.

The annual award recognises individuals or institutions whose outstanding contributions advance the SDGs and embody the ideals of the United Nations.