The Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) is defined by its act as a statutory charitable organization, created to assist individuals who are either completely without sight or have such limited vision that they need special support to pursue education, training, or employment.
Established in 1956, the KSB functions as a body corporate, meaning it has a legal identity that allows it to continue indefinitely, possess a common seal, and the authority to initiate or face legal actions in its corporate name. This setup enables KSB to effectively fulfill its mission of supporting the visually impaired in Kenya.
The Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) plays a crucial role in advocating and supporting the visually impaired community in Kenya. Its responsibilities include:
- Promoting the welfare, education, training, and employment opportunities for blind individuals.
- Assisting the government, various societies, institutions, organizations, or individuals in matters concerning the blind.
- Raising public awareness and interest in the welfare of the blind and issues related to blindness.
- Providing advice on all matters necessary or pertinent to the needs and challenges faced by the blind.
The Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) has the following powers to achieve its objectives:
- Acquire property and rights or interests in property through purchase, gift, or other means.
- Enter into contracts and agreements.
- Collect subscriptions, contributions, gifts, or donations in cash or kind.
- Erect, modify, or demolish buildings or structures.
- Sell, lease, or manage property and rights or interests therein.
- Borrow and raise funds under terms approved by the Council.
- Invest surplus funds in legally authorized investments and modify such investments as needed.
- Conduct businesses directly benefiting the blind.
- Establish and support hospitals, schools, or other institutions benefiting the blind.
- Employ staff on terms set by the Society, determine their salaries, and arrange for pension schemes, gratuities, and retirement benefits.
- Create local branches or committees for specific areas or projects, defining their structure, proceedings, powers, and duties.
- Delegate powers to local branches, committees, institutions, organizations, or individuals for activities like fundraising, business operations, and managing educational or health institutions for the blind.
- Perform any necessary actions to fulfill the Society’s aims.
