Web developer Peter Bodo Ong’aro, 65, during an interview with the Daily Nation in Kisumu.
Peter Bodo Ong’aro, 65, has turned life’s adversities into pathways of purpose.
Born in Nyakach, Kisumu County and rendered physically disabled by polio at the age of two, Mr Ong’aro defied the odds from an early age.
Today, he is not only a seasoned special needs educator but also a self-taught web developer who has proudly represented Kenya in global competitions for persons with disabilities.
In 1999, Mr Ong’aro made the bold decision to resign from his post at Joyland Special School for learners with disabilities in Kisumu to pursue further education.
He enrolled at Kenyatta University for a four-year Bachelor of Education in Special Needs programme driven by a deep desire to expand his knowledge. However, fate soon changed his path.
“In 2001, I was nominated by the Kenya Disabled Development Society to attend an international conference in Hungary representing persons with disabilities. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that changed everything. I abandoned my studies as well,” he recalled
Upon returning to Kenya, Mr Ong’aro developed a fascination with the internet.
Initially sparked by a desire to revisit, virtually, the cities he had toured in Europe, his curiosity gradually evolved into a passionate pursuit.
“I started browsing the internet to see the places we had visited, cities like Budapest, Debrecen and Szeged in Hungary. I browsed images, read the cities histories and explored their websites. That is when I became captivated by how websites worked their design, interactivity and presentation of information,” he explained.
Fuelled by curiosity and with no access to formal training or costly software, Mr Ong’aro turned to free online resources.
Web developer Peter Bodo Ong’aro, 65, during an interview with the Daily Nation in Kisumu.
He immersed himself in YouTube tutorials and downloaded web development materials. For three years, he taught himself how to code.
“I started with HTML, Hypertext Markup Language which is the foundational building block of the web. Then I learnt Joomla, a mobile-friendly, user-centric platform for building websites. Later, I progressed to WordPress which made everything even more accessible,” he said.
Today, Mr Ong’aro builds fully functional websites using tools such as HTML, CSV (Comma-Separated Values), and WordPress. He admits that mastering complex programming languages like Java, C++, or Python has not been necessary for his work.
“I tell young people that you do not need to know everything—just be proficient with the tools you use. For me, WordPress is incredibly powerful. It offers pre-designed templates and endless customisation. The only thing I outsource is web hosting,” he said.
Mr Ong’aro charges a starting fee of Sh25,000 per project, tailoring each site to the specific needs of his clients. His said his work reflects user-friendliness and accessibility, principles rooted in his background in special needs education and disability advocacy.
Empowering persons with disabilities
“Accessibility is not a luxury but it’s a necessity. I ensure that my websites are compatible with screen readers and easily navigable by users with visual or motor impairments,” he said.
Mr Ong’aro expertise in accessible design has earned him international recognition.
In 2011, he represented Kenya at the 8th International Abilympics in South Korea, a global skills competition featuring over 52 professional categories for persons with disabilities.
In 2023, he was again selected as Kenya’s sole competitor at the 10th Abilympics in France, where he competed in the category of web page creation.
“I was nervous at first but it was a proud and humbling moment to fly the Kenyan flag. I am now preparing for the 11th International Abilympics in Helsinki, Finland. This time, I aim to compete not only in web page creation but also in basic programming,” he said.
At his rural home in Nyakach, Mr Ong’aro volunteers as a computer science teacher at Kodum Comprehensive School.
“There is no computer teacher at the school and they don’t even have computers. So I volunteered. I carry my laptop and use a projector to make the lessons engaging. I see immense potential in the learners,” Mr Ong’aro said.
The retired special needs teacher believes digital literacy must be treated as an essential skill in Kenyan schools, on par with reading and mathematics.
“Technology is the future. Every child regardless of their background or ability should be given the opportunity to acquire computer skills,” he said.
Despite the many obstacles he has faced, Mr Ong’aro remains hopeful and steadfast. His dream is to establish a digital skills centre in Nyakach to empower youth and persons with disabilities.
“If I could teach myself web development using just a laptop and free tutorials from the internet, then anyone can. They just need a little guidance,” he said.
