Muturi Wa Muiru: How Kenyan radio presenter wife transforms lives of children living with autism

• According to the United Nations (UN), information on the prevalence of autism in Kenya is insufficient or hard to find
• However, the Autism Society of Kenya (ASK) believes the condition could be as high as 4%, or one autistic child in every 25 Kenyan children.
• A Kenyan couple witnessing the impact of the condition has taken the initiative to bring awareness and support to families facing such challenges
• Njeri wa Muturi, wife of Inooro FM presenter, Muturi Wa Muiru, explained to TUKO.co.ke that through the Infinite Child Foundation, they have been able to transform the lives of many children living with autism.

TUKO.co.ke Journalist Wycliffe Musalia has over five years of experience in the financial field, businesstechnology, health and climate reporting, which provides in-depth insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Muturi Wa Muiru and his wife Njeri wa Muturi led a happy life for the first two years after the birth of their baby girl.

However, this changed at the age of three, when Tania Muturi fell from the fourth floor and suffered paralysis on her left side, which regressed to a fetal stage.

This devastating event was exacerbated when their second child, Theon Muturi, now six, was born with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, which left him unable to speak.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 8.4 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults, according to the study. American Psychiatric Association (WATER).

The disorder is more common in men than women, with symptoms including difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control.

Raising two differently-abled children has become a challenge for Muturi and his wife. It took the couple years to come to terms with their children’s conditions.

right united nations (UN), the disorder could be a major burden for parents of affected children, as there is insufficient information on the prevalence of the disorder, especially in Kenya.

The Autism Society of Kenya (ASK) believes the condition could be as high as 4%, or one autistic child in every 25 Kenyan children.

World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 1 in 100 children suffer from autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

These heartbreaking experiences it ignited a passion in Muturi and Njeri to provide support and resources to families facing similar challenges.

What is the solution to the challenges of autism in Kenya

Through the Infinite Child Foundation, launched in September 2024, the couple is dedicated empowering disabled children and advocating for their rights.

The Inooro FM presenter and his wife lead the charge in Kenya to raise awareness and support children with autism and other disabilities.

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.keNjeri Wa Muturi explained that their journey to establish the Infinite Child Foundation was deeply inspired by their own experiences.

“Infinite Child Foundation focuses on providing sensory integration therapy and psychosocial support to caregivers and parents who have never accepted their children’s situation and have mental health issues. We want to see healthy parents who can take care of these children,” said Njeri Muturi.

She noted that in an effort to raise awareness about different types of disabilities and empower caregivers, Infinite Child Foundation organized a free medical camp on Saturday, December 14, in partnership with PCEA Kikuyu Hospital, other stakeholders and Mindful Kenyan.

The camp, which will be held at Kinderstart School Buruburu, PCEA Kikuyu hospital, will provide free dental check-ups, eye check-ups, orthopedic check-ups and reading glasses, while Mindful Kenya will provide free psychosocial support.

“Parents and caregivers of differently-abled children go through difficult challenges that affect their mental health. Sometimes they have to quit their jobs to take care of their children, putting them in financial difficulty.

“Additionally, they have to deal with the stigma associated with having a child living with a disability. However, their mental health is severely affected and they need as much support as possible to raise their children.” Mindful Kenya team leader Dennis Mwangi noted.

What should the Kenyan government do to reduce autism?

Through their efforts, Muturi Wa Muiru and his wife have made a significant impact on lives children with autism and their families in Kenya.

They have provided much-needed support, resources and advocacy, empowering families to face the challenges of autism and giving children with autism the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The couple called on the government and private stakeholders to step in to help children living with disabilities have easy access to quality education and therapy.

“For children living with disabilities, education and therapy should be at the top of the list. All government hospitals and schools should have therapy departments. Thus, every child can have access to both education and therapy.

“Instead of giving gifts at Christmas time, we encourage individuals and corporate organizations to pay for these children’s therapies and sponsor them to get quality education,” Ms Njeri Muturi added.

Source: TUKO.co.ke