Kenya Institute for the Blind (KIB) was initially established in 1968 as a non-governmental organization to respond to the growing need for Braille and other accessible learning materials for learners with visual impairment within the Kenyan education system.
Over the years, the Institute gradually expanded its services beyond transcription to include rehabilitation, assistive technology support, and targeted capacity building for institutions serving learners with visual impairment. In 1978, KIB was allocated land off Lang’ata Road, providing space for the development of a dedicated national resource campus.
In 2004, the Government of Kenya formally took over the Institute under the Ministry of Education. Since then, KIB has grown into a fully-fledged public institution, broadening its programmes to encompass accessible digital content, repair and distribution of assistive devices, rehabilitation and training services, and stakeholder outreach across the country.