For parents of children with disabilities, accessing government support can sometimes feel like a race against time.
The costs of raising and supporting a child with a disability can be significant: therapy, assessments, specialised education, transport, assistive devices and many other expenses. For parents of autistic children, the journey can be even more difficult because autism has historically been poorly understood and inconsistently recognised within disability systems.
Unfortunately, scammers know this desperation. They know that when a parent hears, “I can help you get your tax exemption quickly,” they may be willing to pay to avoid a long and confusing government process.
Don’t pay anyone to “fast-track” your exemption
There are reports of people approaching parents and persons with disabilities claiming they can fast-track the NCPWD vetting process for tax exemption for a fee. Please be very careful. NCPWD has warned against such scams and made it clear that the official processes should not require you to pay an individual to facilitate or speed them up.
Vetting is free.
The tax exemption certificate is free.
The disability certificate is free.
If someone asks you for money to “facilitate”, “influence”, “speed up” or “guarantee” your application, that is a major red flag.
You could lose more than your money
The danger isn’t only being conned out of your money. A person promising to “sort everything out” could give you a fake certificate or help you obtain documentation through an irregular process. Even if you initially receive what appears to be a genuine certificate, its validity could later be questioned if it was obtained improperly. That could leave you with an even bigger problem.
So don’t think, “Let me just pay and get it over with.”
The law is changing, be patient
Kenya’s Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 introduced important provisions on tax exemptions, including provisions relating to eligible parents and guardians of persons with severe disabilities. However, implementation of a new law takes time. Regulations, systems and administrative procedures have to be put in place, and government officers may not always immediately have the same level of understanding of new provisions. This can be frustrating. But a slow government process does not mean you need a private “fixer.”
Follow up. Ask questions. Keep your documents. Verify information directly with NCPWD or the relevant government agency.
Don’t let urgency make the decision for you
If someone tells you:
- “Pay today or you will miss out.”
- “I have someone inside NCPWD.”
- “I can guarantee your certificate.”
- “The official process takes too long; I can bypass it.”
Stop. Verify. It is better to follow up consistently for a legitimate benefit than to lose your money, or compromise your application, by taking a shortcut. If someone attempts to scam you, keep screenshots, phone numbers, payment requests and other evidence and report the matter to the relevant authorities.
EACC reporting contacts include 0729 888881/2/3 and 020-2717468. For NCPWD enquiries, use the Council’s official channels, including its toll-free number 0800 724 333.
A message to parents
You have every right to pursue the benefits available to your child or family. But you don’t have to be desperate enough to pay a stranger to “make things happen.”
Your child’s disability should never become someone else’s opportunity to exploit your family.
Take your time. Verify. Follow the official process. And when someone offers you a shortcut that comes with a price tag, remember:
It may be the scam you were warned about.
