Lewis Mwaniki Murithi spent his Fellowship at Utah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Lewis is passionate about the provision of equal employment opportunities for persons with disability (PWDs), women and the youth. He believes that this often sidelined group of people have a high potential and should be given equal opportunities to grow in their careers.

As a Principal Program Officer at the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Lewis monitors, facilitates and advices on the integration of the principles of equality and freedom from discrimination in county policies, laws and administrative regulations. This includes working on issues pertaining to children, the youth, women, persons with disability and the elderly at both the county and national levels.

He previously worked with Humanity and Inclusion (HI) as a project manager in charge of the Emergency Drought Response (EDR) project in Samburu and Mandera counties. EDR was a cash transfer project implemented by a consortium. Among his key roles was to ensure the inclusion of PWDs by identifying barriers and possible facilitators. While initially based at the Dadaab Refugee Camp, he worked in disability rehabilitation and mainstreaming project for PWDs.

Lewis is a holder of a Master of Arts Degree in Development studies from Mount Kenya University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship option from Kenyatta University. He also holds a Diploma in Physiotherapy from the Kenya Medical Training College.

Lewis’ focus is inclusivity in the county and national level. He is dedicated to supporting county governments to make inclusive laws, policies and administrative framework that will create employment opportunities for PWDs; this will also improve conditions necessary to absorb PWDs in employment.