The Crystal Asige Foundation (CAF) has opened applications for a new cohort in its scholarship programme targeting persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Kenya.
In partnership with the European Business Institute of Luxembourg, the foundation builds on a successful inaugural round that attracted more than 4,000 applications and saw 850 learners enrolled.
The 13-week virtual programme is designed to meet rising demand for accessible education and skills training among PWDs nationwide.
It offers both fully funded and partially funded scholarships to widen access and accommodate different financial needs.
Founder Crystal Asige, who lives with a disability, has long advocated for the community after losing her sight to glaucoma in her 20s.
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Born in 1990, she attended Mombasa Academy for her primary and secondary education before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and Drama from the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Her early career included roles at the BBC as a production assistant between 2011 and 2013, as well as stints at View Finder EPZ, Adam Smith International, and the Open Institute, where she worked as a programme manager.
She later transitioned into politics, joining Kenya’s 13th Parliament as a nominated senator in September 2022.
She currently serves as Secretary General of the Kenya Disabled Parliamentarians Association and as chairperson for persons with disabilities in the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association.
Asige founded the Foundation with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly reduced inequalities and sustainable cities. She also consults on universal design and accessibility auditing, and speaks globally on visual impairment, challenging stereotypes through her platforms.
Beyond her advocacy work, the 36-year-old is also a singer-songwriter and producer whose music blends Chakacha coastal rhythms with contemporary sounds. She was previously signed to Sol Generation Records.