What Kenya Institute of Special Education does

Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is a government-owned training, assessment, and research institution established in 1986 under Kenya's Ministry of Education, headquartered in Kasarani, Nairobi. The institute operates as the national centre of excellence for special needs education, delivering professional teacher training programmes at diploma, certificate, and short course levels, conducting functional assessments through its Assessment and Research Centre (ARC), and providing therapy services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. KISE also manufactures and distributes assistive devices and runs a nationwide outreach programme called KISE Mashinani, which uses a fully equipped mobile functional assessment truck to reach 22 counties including remote regions such as Mandera, Wajir, and Turkana. The institutional network spans 9 regional training centres co-located with Teachers Training Colleges across Kenya, and a wholly owned ARC Hotel providing conference and hospitality services.

Operating revenue is generated through four streams: government budgetary allocations under the Ministry of Education, training programme fees (diploma, certificate, and short courses), assessment and therapy services delivered through the ARC, and ancillary commercial revenue from the ARC Hotel's conference venues (Laggat Hall up to 500 pax at KES 120,000/day), 48 accommodation units, catering, and grounds hire. A growing conference business includes the KISE IE Conference 2026 with tiered sponsorship packages up to KES 1,000,000 Platinum and exhibition booths. KISE has cultivated deep partnerships with UNICEF, the LEGO Foundation, the M-Pesa Foundation, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Meru University of Science and Technology, positioning the institute as East Africa's emerging hub for special needs education, attracting benchmarking visits from Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Uganda. The institute is currently marking its 40th anniversary (KISE @ 40) and is advancing several capital projects including the Parental Empowerment Centre and an Education Resources and Assistive Devices Factory, but faces a leadership transition following the passing of Council Chairman Habat Sheikh Abdi on June 7, 2026.

Name

Kenya Institute of Special Education

Legal name

Kenya Institute of Special Education

Website

https://kise.ac.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is a Kenyan government institution under the Ministry of Education that trains teachers, conducts functional assessments, and delivers therapy and assistive device services for learners with disabilities across Kenya, operating 9 training centres and outreach to 22 counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education Online / Virtual Schools & Remote Programs (EDAKAAAL), Special Education (SPED), IEP & Accessibility/Assistive Technology (EDAJAMAH), Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching) (EDAJAKAC)

Keywords

• Special education
• Teacher training
• Disability assessment
• Special needs education
• Rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kasarani, Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Programmes: KISE offers professional teacher training programmes at diploma, certificate, and short course levels in special needs education. Fees structure is publicly available on the website. Training is delivered through the main campus and nine nationwide learning centres.
2. Assessment and Therapy Services: Functional assessments, early interventions, and therapy services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy) are provided through the Assessment and Research Centre. Services include rehabilitation and habilitation programmes.
3. Conference and Hospitality (ARC Hotel): The KISE ARC Hotel generates revenue from conference facilities (Laggat Hall, Seneiya Hall, Kifaru Hall, Council Boardroom, Ndovu Hall), accommodation (48 units: single, twin, double rooms), restaurant/catering services, grounds hire, and photo/video shoots. Conference hall rates range from KES 20,000 to KES 120,000 per day; accommodation from KES 3,000 to KES 8,000 per night.
4. Government Funding: As a government institution under the Ministry of Education, KISE receives public funding to support its mandate of improving educational opportunities for learners with special needs and disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is a government institution under Kenya's Ministry of Education, established in 1986. It delivers special needs education services, teacher training programs, disability assessments, therapy services, educational research, and resource development for the special education sector, and operates conference and hospitality facilities for organizational use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Needs Teacher Training Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 counties reached through KISE Mashinani outreach in current financial year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026CHAI partnered with KISE in the KISE Mashinani Outreach in Kesses Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County, contributing to comprehensive disability assessment, assistive support, medical linkage, and community engagement alongside KISE, NCPWD, Modern Solutions, and ACSAP-K.
• National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026NCPWD collaborates with KISE on disability assessment and registration, integrating individuals into the national social protection framework. KISE refers assessed individuals to NCPWD for official disability registration and support services including diaper supply.
• Modern Solutions LimitedsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Modern Solutions Limited partnered with KISE to provide specialized wheelchairs and assistive devices during the KISE Mashinani Outreach, enabling individuals with disabilities to regain independent mobility.
• Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026KISE and MUST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on inclusive and technology-driven education in Kenya. This partnership brings together KISE's special needs education expertise with MUST's technological capabilities to drive innovation and impact.
• Association of County Students' Associations Presidents–Kenya (ACSAP-K)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026ACSAP-K partnered with KISE in the KISE Mashinani Outreach to support disability assessment, community engagement, and advocacy activities in Uasin Gishu County.
• African Council of Students' and Youth PlatformssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025KISE and the African Council of Students' and Youth Platforms jointly launched the Youth Leadership and Innovation Hub, an initiative to empower young people to lead change through creativity, mentorship, and collaboration.
• OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation (OSELF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation partnered with KISE to launch the Eye Care Unit at the institute, a groundbreaking step to improve access to quality eye health services for the surrounding community and learners with visual impairments.
• M-Pesa FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025M-Pesa Foundation partnered with KISE to organize free medical outreach camps, including the camp at St. Kacheliba Girls School in West Pokot. The foundation supports logistics and facilitation of assessment teams, helping bring services to underserved communities.
• Bloom Dyslexia CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bloom Dyslexia Centre co-hosted the Dyslexia Rising Africa Conference 2025 with KISE, bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to spotlight dyslexia and promote inclusive education practices across Africa.
• Teachers Service Commission (TSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TSC collaborates with KISE on teacher retooling exercises, providing feedback on ongoing programmes and participating in Training of Master Trainers events for Competency-Based Curriculum implementation at senior school level.
• Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KICD facilitates key sessions at KISE-hosted training events including Overview of Competency-Based Education, Competency-Based Assessment Framework, and Effective CBC Learning Approaches, collaborating on CBC/CBTE/CBA training for teachers.
• Kyambogo University (Uganda)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kyambogo University from Uganda conducted a benchmarking visit to KISE, reflecting growing regional confidence in KISE's capacity to lead in assessment, teacher training, and applied research in special needs education.
• Football Kenya Federation (FKF)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Football Kenya Federation hosts events at KISE facilities including strategic planning, team-building, and official retreats. KISE serves as an official partner, providing accessible and professional event facilities.
• First Lady of KenyasupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Her Excellency the First Lady of Kenya visited KISE to participate in an autism-focused national initiative, underscoring the institute's important role in promoting social inclusion and advocacy at the highest national level.
• Ministry of Education, KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KISE operates as a government institution under the Ministry of Education, which sets its mandate for training teachers, developing SNE materials, conducting research, and aligning with national education policies including the Competency-Based Curriculum.
• UNICEF KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024UNICEF Kenya is a key implementing partner in the Pamoja Tusome Project on LEGO Braille Bricks, supporting KISE's functional assessment outreach in Turkana and Wajir counties. UNICEF provides technical expertise, logistics support, and funding for initiatives aimed at inclusive education for children with disabilities.
• The LEGO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The LEGO Foundation supports the LEGO Braille Bricks initiative in Kenya, which has trained teachers in 6 pilot counties to use play-based tools for literacy and numeracy for children with visual impairments. The foundation funds teacher training and resource development as part of the Pamoja Tusome Project.
• Hapag-LloydcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Hapag-Lloyd is a partner in the Pamoja Tusome Project supporting KISE's LEGO Braille Bricks outreach and functional assessment activities in Kenya, contributing to logistics and implementation costs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Emerging players

• Sightsavers: International development organization working on visual impairment prevention, treatment, and inclusive education, with significant East Africa operations. Comparable to KISE in disability assessment, inclusive education policy, and assistive-device provision across the region.
• Sense International: International disability NGO supporting people with deafblindness and complex disabilities, active in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and India. Comparable to KISE's Mashinani outreach and assistive-device work in low- and middle-income country contexts.
• Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International): Global disability and inclusion NGO running rehabilitation, inclusive education, and assistive-device programs in 60+ countries, including Kenya. Comparable to KISE's Mashinani outreach, functional assessment, and assistive-device work in conflict-affected and low-resource settings.

Direct peers

• Gallaudet University: US federally chartered university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, providing higher education, K-12 programs (Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, Model Secondary School for the Deaf), and research. Directly comparable to KISE in combining specialized education, sign-language leadership, and a national hub role.
• National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at RIT: First and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the US, part of Rochester Institute of Technology. Comparable to KISE in combining specialized postsecondary and continuing education, applied research, and industry-aligned training.
• Perkins School for the Blind: US institution serving students with blindness and deafblindness, with programs spanning K-12, teacher training, and international initiatives. Closely comparable to KISE in combining direct service, teacher preparation, and assistive-tool development (including Braille literacy).
• Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC): Australian non-profit delivering specialist education, therapy, and cochlear implant services for children with hearing and vision loss. Comparable to KISE in offering assessment, therapy, and school-based programs under one roof with a national service mandate.

Broad incumbents

• UNESCO Inclusive Education & Special Education programmes: UN agency setting global norms on inclusive education and supporting member-state capacity building, including through its Asia-Pacific and African regional bureaux. Comparable to KISE as a wider-system standards-setter and convener rather than a direct operator.

Regional players

• Kenyatta University - Department of Special Needs Education: Major Kenyan public university with one of the country's principal special needs education programs offering degree-level teacher training. Comparable as a domestic Kenyan peer competing for SNE training market, but operating at higher-education rather than diploma/certificate level.

Others

• UNICEF Education (Inclusive Education portfolio): UN agency funding and operating inclusive education programs globally, including the Pamoja Tusome partnership with KISE in Kenya. Comparable as a strategic partner and donor whose priorities shape KISE's outreach programming and assistive-technology adoption.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KISE_OFFICIAL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kisekenyaofficial366?feature=shared
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kenya-Institute-of-Special-Education-100063829999144
• Instagraminstagram.com/kise_info
• TikToktiktok.com/@info_kise?_t=ZM-8vw2zfOnobl&_r=1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenya-institute-of-special-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kenya Institute of Special Education