Two Hundred and ten People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya have graduated after getting free scholarships courtesy of Nominated Senator Cristal Asige Foundation and European Business Institute (EBU).

The students were among the first cohort of 683 who enrolled in September 2025 for the 100 percent full scholarship program which is aimed at making education accessible and affordable for students across the world.

Out of 683 students enrolled, 210 students qualified for certificates under the EBU guidelines that require a student to get 60 percent and above pass mark and attend classes regularly.

In the program Students learnt industry relevant technical and business skills, digital literacy and online learning competency in courses such as Introduction to Artificial intelligence, AI for leaders in healthcare, Business, Compliance- Anti Money laundering, Blockchain technology, Business, Entrepreneurship, leadership and hospitality and education courses.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony which was held online Nominated Senator Crystal Asige said her prayer is to ensure those with disabilities make use of the knowledge from the courses they learnt to make an impact to the society.

The Nominated senator advised PWDs to believe in themselves that they can go to greater heights despite their disabilities and have a positive mindset.

“I am really happy to see hundreds of you graduating today and I want to say as you graduate with these certificates there is more yet to come, and it’s the small things I did that has enabled me to become a member of Parliament,” she said.

She said initially only 100 scholarships had been given by EBU but due to the influx from all corners of the country including Nairobi, Kisii Mtwapa Vihiga among others only 800 were awarded.

“Out of 4000 applications that came through when we called for applications last year, we had to scramble our heads together with EBU and Dr. James Mulli and see how we could accommodate more people,” she said.

Asige said those graduating should see beyond themselves to use the knowledge to serve their communities and their country at large.

She said she would be super happy to see another PWD to take over her position as nominated senator.

“I have also gone through many programs different opportunities small but they all amounted to huge things as today here I am as a senator in Kenya,” she said.

Asige said she was a last born in the family and the only one with disability adding that despite being the least educated she has been able to become a senator in the country.

“I always walk by faith and not by sight and being able to endure and mailable to change and adapt new things any time,” she said.

The senator said it’s when one is disabled that is able to find ways to shine and that can only be achieved through education.

She said her sight was taken at a young age but that made her to use most of her other abilities without relying on her eyes to see.

Asige thanked the EBU fraternity for enabling the program to empower the PWDs with education adding that her plan is to ensure the thousands of PWDs in Kenya access education so that they are empowered and change the society.

Dr James Mulli, the President of EBU while addressing the students and officials during the EBU and Crystal Asige Foundation Certificate awarding ceremony said the education they were bringing was touching in society because of the challenges people face in accessing it.

He thanked the EBU team for their dedication as they are the backborne of the institution to empower people with knowledge and which includes the PWDs who are key in their mission.

Mulli said the program for the PWDs was made possible by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Department of Diaspora Affairs.

He however said the remaining 4000 PWDs students who were waiting have not received funding and invited anyone or organisation willing to help to sponsor them so that they can get the scholarships.

Grace Ndegwa from Uamuzi Foundation congratulated all the students from the Crystal Asige foundation and EBU for giving the PWDs an opportunity to access education.

She said technology has enabled EBU to offer students access education just through their phone which was a great opportunity to the PWDs.

“I know that if we are given the opportunity, we can do it and I know that People with Disabilities can learn, they can acquire skills, they are marketable at work place, for us is to give them an environment to learn,” she said.

Purity Jepkogei a beneficiary thanked the Krystal Asige foundation saying it not only helped her get the certificate but also a created a great networking opportunity during the course.

Joseph Yongo a beneficiary also thanked the EBU and Senator Asige for giving them an opportunity to study, terming it a great milestone in their lives.

He said the course would partly help the PWDs in achieving the disability inclusion and mainstreaming in all their governance and structures.

“We are very happy for the opportunity and for the period we had during the course,” he said.

Naftali Muigai a beneficiary who did Block chain technology and AI integration said he was happy to successfully complete the course and wished to expand knowledge and practical skills in emerging technology.

“It’s also my request for the foundation to look for opportunities in terms of jobs to the students,” he said.

Solomon Onunga who is also a beneficiary said the opportunity brought by Senator Asige was unique as it impacted largely in their life through knowledge and technology.

“We learnt a lot and interacted with our colleagues we also had cultural exchange as some other students were from other countries,” he said.