Personal mobility is a right, and around 100,000 people in Kenya are entitled to a wheelchair, services, and support under that right. However, 95% do not have access to them. Even fewer have access to an appropriate wheelchair and services that provide the right fit, support, safety, and durability.
The Made AT Kenya project, led by Motivation, creates a national Kenyan solution that supports our economy, builds our skills, and addresses disabled people’s rights.
The project is pioneering national wheelchair manufacturing, reducing our reliance on imports and ensuring that disabled people can access high-quality, well-designed mobility aids. By producing wheelchairs in Kenya, the initiative strengthens our economy and provides quality, availability and affordability.
Introducing the Imara Wheelchair
This project’s centre is the Imara wheelchair, explicitly designed for Kenyan terrain and daily life. Unlike some imported models, the Imara is built for strength, comfort and durability. We’re told it looks great, too. With the knowledgeable and frank feedback from our network of Peer Mentors (all skilled and experienced wheelchair users), the Made AT Kenya team has created a product that users can be proud of.
Empowering Our Workforce Through Training
But the project is not only about the Imara. This year, we are working to build a workforce of Kenyans who can assemble, maintain and repair the wheelchairs. This will maximise the lifetime of safe performance and minimise waste. These practical skills are embedded in existing technical and vocational training courses, which builds Kenyan expertise and livelihoods. With investment in training and technology, we are growing local industry while improving lives.
Raising Standards in Wheelchair Service Provision
Another critical initiative is the Skills Development project in partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. This work embeds wheelchair provision training in undergraduate physio- and occupational-therapist courses. By equipping healthcare professionals with technical and clinical skills, the project improves wheelchair procurement, distribution, and maintenance, ensuring users receive proper assessment, fitting, training and follow-up support. There is a model wheelchair service on site, so students get practical hands-on learning and experience, and disabled people get high-quality services.
The project raises service standards, improves quality of life, and fosters inclusion for disabled people in Kenya by developing a skilled workforce.
Driving Economic Growth and Inclusion
Both ‘Made AT Kenya’ and the Skills Development project are about more than just a product or service – they are about social inclusion and economic empowerment. Wheelchair users gain mobility and many related rights, independence, and opportunities. By keeping production and expertise within Kenya, we create sustainable jobs, develop technical knowledge, and ensure better access to high-quality wheelchair provision. More importantly, we are offering a model that could reduce dependency on imports with a thriving local industry and workforce.
With these groundbreaking initiatives, Kenya sets a new standard for wheelchair provision and mobility support. By investing in national production, skills development, and high-quality mobility solutions, we are changing lives and strengthening our healthcare and manufacturing sectors. This is Kenya’s time to lead, innovate, and ensure that everyone can live independently and with dignity regardless of mobility.