The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has released the indicative planning figures for the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities (NSG-PWDs) for the 2026/27 financial year, alongside new measures aimed at strengthening accountability and improving the delivery of the programme.
The ministry said a mid-term evaluation of the grant during the 2025/26 financial year showed that most local governments performed above average, citing improvements in the socio-economic wellbeing of beneficiaries.
It said the programme had contributed to reduced stigma against persons with disabilities, higher household incomes, increased asset ownership, improved school enrolment and retention for children with disabilities, and greater respect and inclusion within communities.
The ministry also recognised top-performing local governments across the country’s regions for their implementation of the programme, saying their performance reflected effective management of the grant and delivery of services to beneficiaries.
As part of reforms for the new financial year, the government has reinstated two councillors as mandatory signatories on application forms submitted by persons with disabilities’ groups, alongside the council chairperson.
The move, championed by the State Minister for Disability Affairs, Joyce Acan Okeny, is intended to strengthen transparency, local ownership and accountability in the management of grant funds.
“During my term, I shall not tolerate any form of corruption in the implementation of the National Special Grant. We must ensure that resources reach the intended beneficiaries, especially persons with severe disabilities,” Ms Acan said.
The ministry also directed local governments to strengthen links between beneficiary groups and technical and agricultural extension specialists to improve the sustainability of funded projects.
Priority will be given to persons with severe disabilities and local governments that have not previously benefited from the programme. In addition, children with disabilities will be required to obtain National Identification cards from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to access the grant.
Local governments have until 20 July 2026 to submit performance reports and generate indicative planning figures for beneficiary groups.
The first batch of group applications is due by 15 August 2026, while the final submissions are expected by 31 December 2026 to allow for verification before funding is disbursed.
The ministry said it had also made minor amendments to the grant guidelines to improve the programme’s effectiveness and ensure public resources are used more efficiently.
