Washington Opiyo Sati

I am a seasoned disability justice and rights advocate based in the Global South, with over 20 years of experience in policy advocacy and project management. I was born and raised along the gentle shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Kenya. In my current role, I bring deep knowledge and experience in participatory project design, implementation, budgeting, reporting, leadership and advocacy. Before joining DRF in 2024, I spent 11 years at the National Human Rights Institutions, serving as both the Ombudsman and Deputy Director. During that time, I was responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. As a deaf human rights activist, I serve on several governance and leadership structures in both community-based and national organizations. I am also the founder of Deaf Ability Initiative. In addition, I sit on the Advisory Board of the Kenya National Association of the Deaf, where I provide strategic leadership and technical guidance on organizational development and project management. I hold a Master’s degree in Human Rights, and my work has been recognized nationally. I was honored with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by His Excellency the President of Kenya for my outstanding service to the nation. Outside of work, I’m a family man with one son and two daughters. In my free time, I enjoy writing ideas, reading, walking, and jogging. A book I highly recommend is Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson