U.N. Kenya Names Ndurumo (’73) Person of the Year
U.N. Kenya awarded Dr. Michael Ndurumo (’73) its highest honor, recognizing him as 2025 Person of the Year. Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura presented the award on U.N. Day, October 24, 2025, in Nairobi. “Professor Ndurumo’s story is one of courage and conviction — of a man who turned silence into a language, and isolation into inclusion,” Bangura announced. “He has given voice to millions who were once unheard – an inspiration to us all!”
Dr. Stephen Jackson, U.N. Resident Coordinator in Kenya added, “Professor Ndurumo’s life reminds us that inclusion is not charity — it is justice. He took the silence that life imposed on him and transformed it into a language that has given millions the power to learn, to work, and to belong.”
The distinguished educator was honored for decades of contribution to disability rights and inclusive education. Born in 1952, at age 8, he contracted meningitis and became unable to hear or speak. Nevertheless, he grew to transform communication, education, and equality throughout East Africa.
Southern Baptist missionaries arranged for Michael to enroll in Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy in 1971. At that time Academy President Hubert Smothers had developed a program for hearing impaired students, with extensive support services and interpreters. HCBA became known for its deaf choir that performed in churches throughout Tennessee.
Following his high school graduation, Michael enrolled in Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. In 1976 he transferred to Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, where he earned bachelor and master degrees. In 1980 he earned the Ph.D. in Educational Administration with concentrations in Psychology and Special Education. He began his teaching career at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina.
In 1982 he returned to Kenya where for the next 21 years he served in the Kenya Institute of Education, rising to the rank of Deputy Director and Head of Special Education. He was the first professor of deaf education to serve in East Africa. During his tenure in the national office, he founded the Africa Institute of Deaf Studies and Research.
Early retirement in 2003 allowed him to join the Department of Educational Psychology at Moi University in Eldoret. There he led the development of the M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
In 2009 he joined University of Nairobi. He retired as full Professor April 2022.
Additional accomplishments include:
- Developed the Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) — now the national sign language of Kenya and used throughout East Africa.
- Drafted the law requiring TV stations in Kenya to include sign language interpretation during news bulletins.
- Developed the first distance education course in special ed for the University of Nairobi.
- Taught sign language and principles of total communication at Daystar University and Maseno University.
- Authored two textbooks, including Exceptional Children: Developmental Consequences and Intervention. A third book is in production.
- Co-founder (2001)/Editor-in-Chief, African Annals of the Deaf.
- Founding Chair, Kenya National Association of the Deaf.
- Publisher, Deaf Education, Advocacy and Public Policy.
In December 2000, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the President of the Republic of Kenya for his service to the country. He was named Andrew Foster Visiting Professor at Gallaudet University in 2000. Andrew Foster was one of the foremost missionaries to the deaf in Africa, and a personal friend of Dr. Ndurumo.
In 2001, Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy presented him with the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award.
Clearly, there is no “retirement” on the horizon for Dr. Ndurumo. As he has for decades, he remains active in the deaf Christian community of Kenya. He also continues to visualize a university for the deaf in Africa, a dream now shared by Kenya Society for Deaf Children. Additionally, he is working on his autobiography.
Dr. Ndurumo’s wife, Mercy, has spoken on the TKA campus herself. She resigned from her 35-year teaching and administrative career in 2018. She volunteers at their church, Nairobi Chapel Karen. She continues to pursue her passion to disciple Christian young people. In her spare time, she raises potatoes and fruit outside Nairobi.
Their two sons, Jesse (’06) and Sam (’08) followed in their father’s footsteps at the academy. Jesse subsequently studied International Relations and Business Management. He currently focuses on dairy farming on his late grandfather’s farm in Nairobi. He specializes in the production of organic yogurt. He has his own company and is also active in neighborhood development affairs.
Sam studied Accounting, Events Management, and Digital Marketing. He owns his own company and does event organization, website development, and marketing for high-end clients. He also handles project management for the Africa Institute of Deaf Studies and Research.
Regarding his time and connections with the academy, Dr. Ndurumo says, “I thank HCBA/TKA for the support and encouragement given to me and my entire family since 1971. The support has been a foundation to our achievements.”