Mr. Cosmas Julius
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Cosmos Julius is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Maendeleo Ya Walemavu Organization (MYW), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya.
Eight years ago, Mr. Julius lost his sight following a road accident, an event that profoundly changed the course of his life. In addition to losing his vision, he also lost his employment and faced significant barriers in rebuilding his career. Determined to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world, he undertook training in adaptive information technology, equipping himself with the skills needed to navigate the modern technological landscape.
Despite his qualifications and resilience, securing employment proved extremely challenging. Over several years, he applied for 49 job opportunities, receiving responses from only ten employers—all of which were unsuccessful. This experience exposed the widespread discrimination and exclusion faced by people who acquire disabilities later in life, as well as many qualified young persons with disabilities who continue to be overlooked despite having completed primary, secondary, tertiary, and university education.
Inspired by these experiences, Mr. Julius founded Maendeleo Ya Walemavu Organization (MYW) to become a voice for Persons with Disabilities and to champion equal opportunities, accessibility, and social inclusion. Under his leadership, MYW advocates for disability rights through disability inclusion training, policy advocacy, accessibility assessments for buildings and organizations, legal support services, and climate and health-related advocacy initiatives. The organization also recognizes institutions that demonstrate exemplary disability inclusion by issuing accessibility awards.
Beyond his advocacy work, Mr. Julius is one of Kenya’s few visually impaired professional corporate Master of Ceremonies. Popularly known as MCVI (Master of Ceremonies, Visually Impaired), he has successfully built a career moderating conferences, workshops, corporate events, weddings, and social functions. His expertise is a testament to the skills he acquired at the Kenya Institute of the Blind Rehabilitation Centre and his unwavering determination to demonstrate that disability is not inability.
Mr. Cosmos Julius remains committed to creating a society where every person with a disability has equal access to opportunities, dignity, and the chance to realize their full potential. He welcomes opportunities to collaborate with individuals, organizations, government institutions, and development partners in advancing disability inclusion and building a more equitable future for all.
For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, he can be reached via email at ceo@maendeleoyawalemavu.org.