First Lady Rachel Ruto has underscored the need for stronger autism support systems in Kenya following a visit to the Asyl Miras Center, a leading institution in Astana dedicated to supporting children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
Mrs Ruto, who champions initiatives focused on children’s welfare, health, and education, toured the centre during the State Visit to Kazakhstan alongside President William Ruto. Earlier, she had joined the President at the State Ceremony held at the Independence Palace in Astana.
During the visit, the First Lady commended the centre’s comprehensive and inclusive approach to autism care, noting its efforts in promoting awareness, reducing stigma, fostering inclusion, and equipping professionals with specialised skills to support children with ASD.
“The work being done here is inspiring. Kenya has a lot to learn from this model, particularly in ensuring that children living with autism and their families receive accessible, dignified, and professional support,” said Mrs Ruto.
The Asyl Miras Center provides equal access to intervention services for families regardless of region or income level. More than 300 educators and specialists work across the institution’s programmes to improve the quality of life of children with autism and their families through tailored rehabilitation and developmental support.
Mrs Ruto noted the remarkable progress demonstrated by children participating in the intervention programmes, with many showing significant improvement in skills development.
The Asyl Miras centres are designed as multifunctional institutions where children and their parents receive holistic care from trained professionals. Each rehabilitation programme runs for five and a half months, with every centre capable of supporting up to 180 children at a time free of charge.
Speaking during the visit, Asyl Miras Center Chief Executive Officer Ainur Karbozova said the institution remains committed to ensuring children living with autism can fully participate in society.
“We want to help children with autism spectrum disorders to socialise and live fully. Our foundation aims to provide world-class rehabilitation programmes for them in Kazakhstan. Therefore, we work with the world’s leading specialists in rehabilitation,” she said.
The centre was established in 2014 by Kazakhstani entrepreneur and philanthropist Bulat Utemuratov under the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, which is now regarded as one of Kazakhstan’s largest private charitable foundations.
With a strategic focus on healthcare, education, culture, environmental protection, and social infrastructure, the Foundation has invested more than USD 240 million in charitable initiatives that have benefited hundreds of thousands of people across Kazakhstan.
Its flagship programme, Autism: One World for All, has expanded to 13 Asyl Miras autism centres across 12 cities in Kazakhstan, supporting more than 17,000 children and their families since its launch.
In 2025, the European Business Association in Kazakhstan (EUROBAK) recognised the Foundation for its large-scale autism awareness campaign conducted as part of United Nations-designated autism awareness initiatives.
Mrs Ruto also toured the Alem.AI Centre in Astana, where she appreciated the innovative work being undertaken to enhance child protection in the context of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
She noted that Kenya has taken deliberate steps to strengthen national AI capacity, foster innovation, and learn from global leaders in emerging technologies.
The visit comes just a week after the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, where African First Ladies, led by Mrs Ruto, called for a collective societal approach to safeguarding children in digital spaces and in an increasingly AI-driven world.
“Digital safety for the African child must be prioritised. As digital transformation continues to spread across Africa, the safety of the continent’s children remains under threat,” Mrs Ruto said during the summit.
The visits to both centres highlighted the growing importance of inclusive healthcare, innovation, and collaborative action in ensuring children are protected, empowered, and given equal opportunities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
