International Recognition UN-Kenya Names Ndurumo (’73) Person of the Year
From his years at Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy to a lifetime of transforming deaf education across East Africa, Dr. Michael Ndurumo’s work has given millions greater opportunity to learn, communicate, work, and belong.
United Nations-Kenya awarded Dr. Michael Ndurumo (’73) its highest honor, recognizing him as its 2025 Person of the Year.
UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura presented the award on UN Day, October 24, 2025, in Nairobi. The distinguished educator was honored for decades of contributions to disability rights and inclusive education.
“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!”
Professor Ndurumo’s life reminds us that inclusion is not charity — it is justice.Dr. Stephen Jackson · UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya
Turning silence into opportunity
Born in 1952, Ndurumo contracted meningitis at age eight and became unable to hear or speak. What followed was a life that would transform communication, education, and equality throughout East Africa.
Arrives at HCBA
Southern Baptist missionaries arranged for Michael to enroll at Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy. Academy President Hubert Smothers had developed a program for hearing-impaired students, including extensive support services and interpreters. HCBA also became known for its deaf choir, which performed in churches throughout Tennessee.
Graduates from the Academy
After graduating from HCBA, Ndurumo enrolled at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
Advanced Study at Peabody
In 1976, he transferred to Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In 1980, he earned a Ph.D. in Educational Administration with concentrations in Psychology and Special Education.
Returns to Kenya
After beginning his teaching career at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina, Ndurumo returned to Kenya. For the next 21 years, he served in the Kenya Institute of Education, eventually becoming Deputy Director and Head of Special Education.
Developing Future Educators
Early retirement from the national office allowed him to join the Department of Educational Psychology at Moi University in Eldoret, where he led development of the university’s M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
University of Nairobi
Ndurumo joined the University of Nairobi in 2009 and retired as a full professor in April 2022.
Changing the way a nation communicates
Dr. Ndurumo became the first professor of deaf education to serve in East Africa. His influence reaches education, public policy, research, communication, publishing, and advocacy.
Kenyan Sign Language
Developed Kenyan Sign Language, now the national sign language of Kenya and used throughout East Africa.
Accessible Television
Drafted the law requiring television stations in Kenya to include sign language interpretation during news bulletins.
Distance Education
Developed the first distance education course in special education for the University of Nairobi.
Higher Education
Taught sign language and principles of total communication at Daystar University and Maseno University.
Scholarship & Publishing
Authored two textbooks, including Exceptional Children: Developmental Consequences and Intervention, with a third book in production.
Research & Advocacy
Founded the Africa Institute of Deaf Studies and Research, served as founding chair of the Kenya National Association of the Deaf, and became co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of African Annals of the Deaf.
Public Policy
Published work through Deaf Education, Advocacy and Public Policy, extending his influence beyond the classroom and into national conversations about inclusion.
Future Vision
Continues to envision a university for the deaf in Africa, a dream now shared by the Kenya Society for Deaf Children.
Retirement has never really been part of the plan.
Clearly, there is no “retirement” on the horizon for Dr. Ndurumo. As he has for decades, he remains active in Kenya’s deaf Christian community.
He also continues to visualize a university for the deaf in Africa, a dream now shared by the Kenya Society for Deaf Children. Additionally, he is working on his autobiography.
The Academy connection continued into another generation.
Dr. Ndurumo’s wife, Mercy, has spoken on the TKA campus herself. She retired from a 35-year teaching and administrative career in 2018 and now volunteers at Nairobi Chapel Karen, continuing her passion for discipling 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 now focuses on dairy farming on his late grandfather’s farm in Nairobi, specializing in the production of organic yogurt. He also owns his own company and is active in neighborhood development affairs.
Sam studied Accounting, Events Management, and Digital Marketing. He owns a company providing event organization, website development, and marketing for high-end clients. He also handles project management for the Africa Institute of Deaf Studies and Research.
A foundation that began in 1971
More than five decades after arriving at Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy, Dr. Ndurumo still points to the Academy community as an important part of his journey.
From the Academy to an impact felt across East Africa
Dr. Michael Ndurumo’s story stretches from a young student arriving at Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy to classrooms, universities, government offices, churches, research institutes, and communities throughout Kenya and East Africa.
The 2025 UN-Kenya Person of the Year Award recognizes a lifetime of work. But for Ndurumo, the work continues through advocacy, Christian service, research, writing, and a vision for what might still be possible for generations of deaf students across Africa.
2025 UN-Kenya Person of the Year · Educator · Author · Advocate · Pioneer in Deaf Education