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Why Alex Mwakideu wants erectile dysfunction recognised as a disability
23rd July, 2026 11:25 AM
Radio presenter Alex Mwakideu has weighed in on whether irreversible erectile dysfunction (ED) should be recognised as a disability in Kenya, arguing that men living with the condition deserve the same understanding and legal recognition as people with other disabilities.
Speaking on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Mwakideu questioned why men who suffer from ED are not considered persons living with disabilities, saying the condition is a health issue rather than a measure of masculinity.
He argued that recognising erectile dysfunction as a disability would help eliminate the stigma faced by affected men and encourage society to view the condition as a medical challenge instead of a personal failure.
According to Mwakideu, a man living with erectile dysfunction should not be judged or ridiculed because the condition is beyond his control.
“Sisi wanaume, mbona machine ikikata haiwekwi kwenye list ya disability? Machine ikikata pia nayo iingizwe katika list ya disability, ndio sisi wanaume tuondole ile kitu ya kwamba si mwanamume kamili, na si ati si mwanamume kamili ni hali ya afya ka vile yule alipata ajali akapoteza mguu,” Mwakideu said.
“Tukitoka kwa huyu hawezani, tutamwingiza. Huyu ana matatizo ya kiafya na lazima awe listed miongoni mwa watu wanaishi na ulemavu kwa sababu anaishi na ulemavu za nguvu za kiume.”
To support his argument, the media personality compared erectile dysfunction with other recognised disabilities, saying people who lose a finger, a leg or their eyesight are considered persons with disabilities because their physical condition affects their daily lives.
“Ukikatika kidole unakuwa disable, ukikatika mguu,una mguu mmoja kwa bahati mbaya wewe ni disable, macho ama jicho likiharibika wewe unakuwa disable,” he added.
Proposed petition
Mwakideu’s remarks come amid an ongoing debate after a Kenyan doctor proposed that irreversible erectile dysfunction be recognised as a disability.
Doctor Benson Kibore petitioned Parliament to have irreversible erectile dysfunction recognised as a disability.
“What I have proposed is that we need to have a national sexual health policy so that we are able to converse around matters of sexuality openly. Once this is passed in parliament and it is recognised as a disability, the next step will be people being able to get access to medication,” Dr Kibore said.
The medic argues that men living with irreversible ED often experience psychological distress, stigma, strained relationships and a reduced quality of life, yet many continue to suffer in silence because of the shame associated with the condition.
